Subj: Mindwalkers - Grammie's Day
Date: 5/16/00 10:20:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Lots of ladies get Mother's Day cards from their grandchildren. Hit the jackpot with my GRAMchildren - the dolls & stuffies inside Squirrel Haven and the birds & rabbits & especially squirrels outside.
A small pile of cards from them and J & E awaited me at dinnertime tonight (a delayed celebration to give it full due), along with beautifully wrapped presents ~ a lovely book from the "kids" about grandmothers compiled and printed by the Victoria magazine publishers, from John & Elsa a cd by Phil Coulter - my favorite pianist (his title rendition of Whitney's processional, Highland Cathedral, gave me chills), and a book called "Small Miracles" which came with a promise from Elsa to read it to me untiil I have my cataract surgery.
Before dinner, it was great fun to hear Elsa's reactions as she came upon cards that John had tucked here & there for "Mama" Budgette – in the den (from those darn mice we can't seem to get to vacate the premises), on the screen door leading out to the porch (from the "Backyard Kids"),perched against the screen in the kitchen (from her Own True Budgie), waiting for her at her computer (from the dolls & stuffies).
The love represented by the stuffies that seem to rule the roost keeps our home full up with smiles and happiness and snuggles waiting to happen.
Bed awaits! Love to all - Sissy et al's GRAMMIE
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Sissy et al's Grammie's birth
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
BONE WEARY 02/29/00
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 19:05:21 EST
Subject: Bone weary
What a long morning. Preadmission testing started at 8:00 a.m. and it lasted until noon. Luckily, Elsa rustled up a wheelchair and zipped me from pillar to post. We really made tracks around that hospital.
I was supposed to go back at 2:00 p.m. for a preadmission physical by my GP, but decided I was too plumb tuckered out. That posed a problem - I need a general physical and my GP's seal of approval to have surgery, but there was no more time available the rest of the week.
What to do, what to do??
A light at the end of the tunnel - John goes to the same GP and had an appointment for a physical tomorrow. Had. The dear lad handed over his appointment time to me. My hero!
By the time we left Holy Redeemer, I was famished (blood work meant I had to fast). I craved a turkey hoagie, so we swung by Wawa and picked one up on the way home. It tasted to me like the best hoagie in the world!
After polishing off the last crumb, it was time for this well-fed Grammie to wend my way up the wooden hill for a well-deserved nap. I was so tired, I did not know if I could make it, even with help.
Ah, my bed felt so good. The joy of stretching out my legs and just being flat. Bliss.
After Wednesday's physical comes the arteriogram on Thursday. It turns out that it is a pretty big deal, which I had not expected. I was thinking it would be like a cardiogram.
Not so. More’s the pity.
The procedure itself is only about an hour, but I have to stay flat for 6-8 hours afterward. It is a little scary, with a remote but real chance of stroke, due to my age and physical condition, but if I am going to have the shoulder replacement, it has got to be done. It will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. (EST). Your prayers and kind thoughts most welcome.
This is nothing what I thought all day I was going to write tonight. It was going to be about tulips and the complexities & marvels of family and include a recipe for fudge.
Thanks for indulging - for some reason, putting what is happening into words makes it more real and somehow less scary.
I know this is already too wordy, but I MUST take a moment to welcome some extra special people to this merry little band of online friends and relations - Gerry & Linda, Shauna, JJ and Keilly Gallagher, our wonderful neighbors.
They are a great family to have next door and do so much to perk my spirits just by being (Linda's parents' property is catty-corner to their back yard, so there are lots of intergenerational comings & goings, which is dear to this family lover's heart).
This afternoon after my nap, I sat in the big chair and watched JJ playing basketball on the driveway while Linda did her best to give 2-year old Kielly some freedom without detours out onto the beckoning road.
I not sure who got the better work out - JJ or his Mom!
Love to you all - The Gramster
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of The Gramster's birth FYI - Mom never did have the shoulder surgery!
Subject: Bone weary
What a long morning. Preadmission testing started at 8:00 a.m. and it lasted until noon. Luckily, Elsa rustled up a wheelchair and zipped me from pillar to post. We really made tracks around that hospital.
I was supposed to go back at 2:00 p.m. for a preadmission physical by my GP, but decided I was too plumb tuckered out. That posed a problem - I need a general physical and my GP's seal of approval to have surgery, but there was no more time available the rest of the week.
What to do, what to do??
A light at the end of the tunnel - John goes to the same GP and had an appointment for a physical tomorrow. Had. The dear lad handed over his appointment time to me. My hero!
By the time we left Holy Redeemer, I was famished (blood work meant I had to fast). I craved a turkey hoagie, so we swung by Wawa and picked one up on the way home. It tasted to me like the best hoagie in the world!
After polishing off the last crumb, it was time for this well-fed Grammie to wend my way up the wooden hill for a well-deserved nap. I was so tired, I did not know if I could make it, even with help.
Ah, my bed felt so good. The joy of stretching out my legs and just being flat. Bliss.
After Wednesday's physical comes the arteriogram on Thursday. It turns out that it is a pretty big deal, which I had not expected. I was thinking it would be like a cardiogram.
Not so. More’s the pity.
The procedure itself is only about an hour, but I have to stay flat for 6-8 hours afterward. It is a little scary, with a remote but real chance of stroke, due to my age and physical condition, but if I am going to have the shoulder replacement, it has got to be done. It will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. (EST). Your prayers and kind thoughts most welcome.
This is nothing what I thought all day I was going to write tonight. It was going to be about tulips and the complexities & marvels of family and include a recipe for fudge.
Thanks for indulging - for some reason, putting what is happening into words makes it more real and somehow less scary.
I know this is already too wordy, but I MUST take a moment to welcome some extra special people to this merry little band of online friends and relations - Gerry & Linda, Shauna, JJ and Keilly Gallagher, our wonderful neighbors.
They are a great family to have next door and do so much to perk my spirits just by being (Linda's parents' property is catty-corner to their back yard, so there are lots of intergenerational comings & goings, which is dear to this family lover's heart).
This afternoon after my nap, I sat in the big chair and watched JJ playing basketball on the driveway while Linda did her best to give 2-year old Kielly some freedom without detours out onto the beckoning road.
I not sure who got the better work out - JJ or his Mom!
Love to you all - The Gramster
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of The Gramster's birth FYI - Mom never did have the shoulder surgery!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
GOOD GRIEF, CHARLIE BROWN 03/07/00
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 23:41:00 EST
Subject: Good Grief, Charlie Brown
A discussion group that I have been part of for some time has included some interesting thoughts recently about grief. Seems a lot of people (including minsters and doctors) feel uncomfortable addressing the idea of grief over the loss of a loved one.
Why is it that people think telling someone in the freshness of loss that they should be happy because the loved one is "in a better place."
Grief is not frivolous, it is an important part of living. Well, yes, people who grieve like Queen Victoria did - in an all-consuming fashion - do seem to be going overboard and forgetting the living. But normal grief at the loss of a loved one is an important growth step.
This was recently brought home to me by something Elsa told me. A very young friend's grandmother died after a long and sad illness. The little girl was, naturally, feeling desolate and was unusually somber in school. Instead of just letting the little one feel the sense of loss, her teacher - with the best of intentions - said, "Don't be sad!" in a light and caring tone. She, I am sure unintentionally, sent the message that it is not okay to be sad, even when your Grandma dies.
When Pete died at the relatively young age of 61, a doctor friend of ours, someone I respected and whose opinion I valued, said to me at, "Well, Kay, it's been six months since Pete passed away. Time to be getting on with life." Luckily, I just thought he was bonkers. Life would never be the same, just as it was never the same after Ian died. Oh, the sun came out and happy times returned, but the sky was never quite the same shade of blue.
Several years after Ian died, Peter said to me incredulously several years when tears welled up in my eyes over some small reminder, "You still miss him, don't you, even after all this time." He just couldn't get over it. When his own son turned 11 years old, Peter told me, "I understand now. I cannot imagine what I would do if anything happened to Reynolds."
For weeks after Pete died, I just sat in the big chair in the living room and felt at a complete loss. I had just lost my heart. The grief was not for Pete. How many people do you know who grieve on behalf of the person who died? Not many. I grieved for a loss beyond my comprehension.
When parents or siblings have a terminal illness or injury, the adults discuss what to share with the children. Truman Capote was permanently scarred by his adored grandfather's death - not wanting to traumatize the child, the adults told him his grandfather "went away." Unimaginable.
Then again, I have heard some strange tales from friends within my own church about how adults in their lives handled what they were told or not told about a loved one's death.
There are different forms of grief:
There is the personal grief when a loved one dies.
There is community grief, as when a young person dies in war. I remember the sadness that swept over Bryn Athyn when Richard (Pat) Walter died in World War II - it brought us together and many of his classmates called their sons Richard in his honor. Including, I believe, Richard Simons, whose death in Vietnam brought Bryn Athyn together in grief.
There is national grieving, as when Charles Schultz and Jim Henson passed away.
There is even international grieving. FDR, JFK, Diana come to mind. Cynics label it hysteria, but total strangers coming together in sadness, leaving bouquets outside wrought iron gates or tossing flowers at a passing hearse, can be healing.
Did you grow up thinking about grief as a normal part of life or did you get the message to "be happy" instead of feeling the loss? It is 41 years since Ian died and I still miss him. It is 26 years since Pete's death and I miss him every day.
How do I hope my family and friends will grieve when this Ancient One finally shakes these mortal coils? With a sense of loss, longing for the good times we shared, forgiveness for the bad stuff, and - hopefully - lots of partying.
It is very, very late (almost midnight EST) & I must hie this tired body off to beddy bye.
Love to you all - Mum
reposted in sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mum's birth
Subject: Good Grief, Charlie Brown
A discussion group that I have been part of for some time has included some interesting thoughts recently about grief. Seems a lot of people (including minsters and doctors) feel uncomfortable addressing the idea of grief over the loss of a loved one.
Why is it that people think telling someone in the freshness of loss that they should be happy because the loved one is "in a better place."
Grief is not frivolous, it is an important part of living. Well, yes, people who grieve like Queen Victoria did - in an all-consuming fashion - do seem to be going overboard and forgetting the living. But normal grief at the loss of a loved one is an important growth step.
This was recently brought home to me by something Elsa told me. A very young friend's grandmother died after a long and sad illness. The little girl was, naturally, feeling desolate and was unusually somber in school. Instead of just letting the little one feel the sense of loss, her teacher - with the best of intentions - said, "Don't be sad!" in a light and caring tone. She, I am sure unintentionally, sent the message that it is not okay to be sad, even when your Grandma dies.
When Pete died at the relatively young age of 61, a doctor friend of ours, someone I respected and whose opinion I valued, said to me at, "Well, Kay, it's been six months since Pete passed away. Time to be getting on with life." Luckily, I just thought he was bonkers. Life would never be the same, just as it was never the same after Ian died. Oh, the sun came out and happy times returned, but the sky was never quite the same shade of blue.
Several years after Ian died, Peter said to me incredulously several years when tears welled up in my eyes over some small reminder, "You still miss him, don't you, even after all this time." He just couldn't get over it. When his own son turned 11 years old, Peter told me, "I understand now. I cannot imagine what I would do if anything happened to Reynolds."
For weeks after Pete died, I just sat in the big chair in the living room and felt at a complete loss. I had just lost my heart. The grief was not for Pete. How many people do you know who grieve on behalf of the person who died? Not many. I grieved for a loss beyond my comprehension.
When parents or siblings have a terminal illness or injury, the adults discuss what to share with the children. Truman Capote was permanently scarred by his adored grandfather's death - not wanting to traumatize the child, the adults told him his grandfather "went away." Unimaginable.
Then again, I have heard some strange tales from friends within my own church about how adults in their lives handled what they were told or not told about a loved one's death.
There are different forms of grief:
There is the personal grief when a loved one dies.
There is community grief, as when a young person dies in war. I remember the sadness that swept over Bryn Athyn when Richard (Pat) Walter died in World War II - it brought us together and many of his classmates called their sons Richard in his honor. Including, I believe, Richard Simons, whose death in Vietnam brought Bryn Athyn together in grief.
There is national grieving, as when Charles Schultz and Jim Henson passed away.
There is even international grieving. FDR, JFK, Diana come to mind. Cynics label it hysteria, but total strangers coming together in sadness, leaving bouquets outside wrought iron gates or tossing flowers at a passing hearse, can be healing.
Did you grow up thinking about grief as a normal part of life or did you get the message to "be happy" instead of feeling the loss? It is 41 years since Ian died and I still miss him. It is 26 years since Pete's death and I miss him every day.
How do I hope my family and friends will grieve when this Ancient One finally shakes these mortal coils? With a sense of loss, longing for the good times we shared, forgiveness for the bad stuff, and - hopefully - lots of partying.
It is very, very late (almost midnight EST) & I must hie this tired body off to beddy bye.
Love to you all - Mum
reposted in sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Mum's birth
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
LAKE DAYS & LOCKHARTS 03/11/00
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 21:22:22 EST
Subject: Mindwalkers - Lake Days & Lockharts
This morning felt like an inverted "lake day." Lockharts have long used the term "lake day" or "a real laker" to describe a bright blue summer day with a
certain special quality in the air.
Today felt like a laker, but the type where you woke up to grey, overcast skies and a chill in the air. We would bundle up in warm pants and sweaters and take walks along the rocks that line that part of the lake or head into Hawley for the morning.
The weather usually worked itself around to a sunny afternoon and the Lockhart brood would exchange their warm duds for bathing suits and beach towels and head down to the lake.
If the raw weather hung on through the day, I would make hot cocoa and we would haul out the board games.
Anyway, this morning had the feel of a grey "laker."
Speaking of Lockhart children, Peter and Mim called this week. It did my mother's heart good to hear their voices. I assured them that Elsa & John take good care of me and enjoyed getting caught up on their lives. Was it November or early December they last rang up? They are both very busy.
Mim, who lives in central NJ, explained she has been laid low with a particularly nasty cold. Poor lass, her clients still expect her to turn up to work with their children (a social worker, she does wonders with autistic children), no matter how under the weather she is. I wish I could get myself over there to brew her a nice hot cuppa chamomile tea.
Peter, who lives in Hatboro, mentioned coming to the hospital during the surgery, but (oops) didn't call to confirm or find out when the surgery was scheduled for, just showed up at Holy Redeemer. What a pickle - he was there, but I was not (surgery was canceled)!
Interesting fact - when you get to be an old biddie like me, memories of children as youngsters and visions as they are now ~ in their 40s, 50s and 60s ~ somehow jumble. It often seems easier for me to see them as they were back in our family's glory days in the '50s than as they are now, if that makes any sense at all. Good heavens, you will think I am in my dotage!
Thanks for putting up with my rambles.
Love to one and all, am heading up the wooden hill and so to bed - Grandma L'
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's birth
Subject: Mindwalkers - Lake Days & Lockharts
This morning felt like an inverted "lake day." Lockharts have long used the term "lake day" or "a real laker" to describe a bright blue summer day with a
certain special quality in the air.
Today felt like a laker, but the type where you woke up to grey, overcast skies and a chill in the air. We would bundle up in warm pants and sweaters and take walks along the rocks that line that part of the lake or head into Hawley for the morning.
The weather usually worked itself around to a sunny afternoon and the Lockhart brood would exchange their warm duds for bathing suits and beach towels and head down to the lake.
If the raw weather hung on through the day, I would make hot cocoa and we would haul out the board games.
Anyway, this morning had the feel of a grey "laker."
Speaking of Lockhart children, Peter and Mim called this week. It did my mother's heart good to hear their voices. I assured them that Elsa & John take good care of me and enjoyed getting caught up on their lives. Was it November or early December they last rang up? They are both very busy.
Mim, who lives in central NJ, explained she has been laid low with a particularly nasty cold. Poor lass, her clients still expect her to turn up to work with their children (a social worker, she does wonders with autistic children), no matter how under the weather she is. I wish I could get myself over there to brew her a nice hot cuppa chamomile tea.
Peter, who lives in Hatboro, mentioned coming to the hospital during the surgery, but (oops) didn't call to confirm or find out when the surgery was scheduled for, just showed up at Holy Redeemer. What a pickle - he was there, but I was not (surgery was canceled)!
Interesting fact - when you get to be an old biddie like me, memories of children as youngsters and visions as they are now ~ in their 40s, 50s and 60s ~ somehow jumble. It often seems easier for me to see them as they were back in our family's glory days in the '50s than as they are now, if that makes any sense at all. Good heavens, you will think I am in my dotage!
Thanks for putting up with my rambles.
Love to one and all, am heading up the wooden hill and so to bed - Grandma L'
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of Grandma L's birth
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
MAY THERE BE A BLESSING 02/26/00
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 23:19:56 EST
Subject: May there be a blessing
I am so very sad to have missed Ceri Holm and Eric Stein's wedding. That blasted shoulder! Ceri is very dear to my heart and Eric looks promising (dashing & funny!).
Elsa has been on the go with wedding to-dos since early this morning. From what I understand, it was the most magnificent wedding she's seen, and she has seen quite a few. We hardly ever missed a Bryn Athyn wedding when she was a young girl; Elsa always sat on the aisle so the bride's train could swoosh over her shoe.
I remember David & Elaine's - Ceri's parents - wedding, He cut such a dashing figure in white tux. Elaine was so shy, she kept her eyes down.
As they came back down the aisle, after the vows, David kept leaning down to her, encouraging her to look up. Finally - and I still feel it in my heart - he took her hand firmly in both of his and just beamed for both of them!
Ceri, dear, you are probably reading this well after your wedding, but I just want to say how much I wish I was with you today, and that I send you and Eric all my love and dearest wishes for all the wonders life holds for two people in love and partnership. May there be a blessing!
Nite-nite & God bless to you all ~ M/G/N/K/AK
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLD LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev on the 05/14 centenary of Mom/Gocky/Nan/Kay/Aunt Kay's birth
Subject: May there be a blessing
I am so very sad to have missed Ceri Holm and Eric Stein's wedding. That blasted shoulder! Ceri is very dear to my heart and Eric looks promising (dashing & funny!).
Elsa has been on the go with wedding to-dos since early this morning. From what I understand, it was the most magnificent wedding she's seen, and she has seen quite a few. We hardly ever missed a Bryn Athyn wedding when she was a young girl; Elsa always sat on the aisle so the bride's train could swoosh over her shoe.
I remember David & Elaine's - Ceri's parents - wedding, He cut such a dashing figure in white tux. Elaine was so shy, she kept her eyes down.
As they came back down the aisle, after the vows, David kept leaning down to her, encouraging her to look up. Finally - and I still feel it in my heart - he took her hand firmly in both of his and just beamed for both of them!
Ceri, dear, you are probably reading this well after your wedding, but I just want to say how much I wish I was with you today, and that I send you and Eric all my love and dearest wishes for all the wonders life holds for two people in love and partnership. May there be a blessing!
Nite-nite & God bless to you all ~ M/G/N/K/AK
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLD LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev on the 05/14 centenary of Mom/Gocky/Nan/Kay/Aunt Kay's birth
Monday, August 16, 2010
PARTY GIRL 05/09/00
Date: Tue, 9 May 2000 22:26:00 EDT
Subject: Party Girl
Is my mantra really, "Uuuummmmm - party, party, party. uuuummmmm, party, party, party."?
Well, it is true that this Ancient One loves a good celebration.
John & Elsa are grand masters of celebration. Looking back, the past ten years seem brimming over with celebrations, from birthday parties for Sissy to major out-of-town toots. One reason I am still around and somewhat hale & hearty is a fear of missing a special bit of fun.
Life is good.
This tired and HOT grammie is off to bed.
Nite-nite & God bless - Kay, the party girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of the Party Girl's birth
Subject: Party Girl
Is my mantra really, "Uuuummmmm - party, party, party. uuuummmmm, party, party, party."?
Well, it is true that this Ancient One loves a good celebration.
John & Elsa are grand masters of celebration. Looking back, the past ten years seem brimming over with celebrations, from birthday parties for Sissy to major out-of-town toots. One reason I am still around and somewhat hale & hearty is a fear of missing a special bit of fun.
Life is good.
This tired and HOT grammie is off to bed.
Nite-nite & God bless - Kay, the party girl
reposted in sweet memory of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of the Party Girl's birth
Sunday, August 15, 2010
IT'S IN THE CARDS 05/06/00
Date: Sat, 6 May 2000 22:36:45 EDT
Subject: Mindwalkers - It's In the Cards
Some mornings, when I am alone, especially if Elsa forgot to cue up the classical music station before heading off to work, I feel that I am slowly dying (which we all are, of course, but you know what I mean). Then I'll eat a lunch that would feed two people!
I had a chuckle on myself the other day. Realized that I can't die now or anytime before at least mid-December ~ I haven't used up all my Christmas cards!
Am up the wooden hill. We are talking about maybe getting me to Contemporary
Service tomorrow. What a treat that would be!
Fingers crossed - KRL
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of KRL's birth
Subject: Mindwalkers - It's In the Cards
Some mornings, when I am alone, especially if Elsa forgot to cue up the classical music station before heading off to work, I feel that I am slowly dying (which we all are, of course, but you know what I mean). Then I'll eat a lunch that would feed two people!
I had a chuckle on myself the other day. Realized that I can't die now or anytime before at least mid-December ~ I haven't used up all my Christmas cards!
Am up the wooden hill. We are talking about maybe getting me to Contemporary
Service tomorrow. What a treat that would be!
Fingers crossed - KRL
reposted with sweet memories of its author, KATHARINE REYNOLDS LOCKHART, by her scribe/daughter, Elsa Lockhart Murphy aka Deev, in celebration of the 05/14 centenary of KRL's birth
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