Childhood Memories

   My Grandmother lived four houses down from mine and she would always help me with some ideas. On one hot boring day I gathered the girls around...." Listen up! There is Mrs. Kay down the street that hasn't been out of bed in several weeks. I thought we should go over and pay her a visit."     

      Someone from the group stated that Mrs. Kay was very ill, probably even dieing. I commented that she had no family to check in on her or anyone that seemed to care about her. There never seemed to be any one around to care for Mrs. Kay and I never saw anyone around to take care of her. My heart ached as I felt that Mrs. Kay was in her apartment all alone. I commented that it was nice to know that someone was still cared about another no matter how sick they were. I informed the group that we would only stay for a few minutes but first we had to get ready.     

      "Ready…for what?” I informed the girls that we could not just simply go over as we were; we needed to get dressed up! They all squawked at me while I continued to tell them of my plan.  

     After a few minutes they finally agreed it would be fun.   All five of us, ages 7-11, marched over to my Grandmothers' house. I asked Grandma if we could borrow five dresses and some accessories so we could visit a sick friend. Grandma asked no questions and supplied us with some real gems. I even got a hat with a feather in it!     

     The girls from ages 7-9.I was the youngest, squabbled over the printed silk dresses with lace collars, but we each managed to select one. With oversized dressed that were adjusted off our feet with matching belts that accompanied the dress, we were a sight to behold. All of us were handed white gloves to wear and a purse to hang onto. Grandma gave us all tissue to put in the purse; “You might need them.” she smiled as she tucked the tissue in our purses.    

     We looked at each other with approval and decided we were ready to go. Proudly we paraded down the middle of the secluded street to the end where Mrs. Kay lived. Some of the girls repeatedly stated,     “We are making a big mistake.”     “Mrs. Kay will not be happy about us just coming over unannounced.” 

        Without blinking an eye, I informed them,     “The element of surprise is good for the soul and the gesture we were making would mean more than if we just sent her a card.”     

     We approached Mrs. Kay’s door, I knocked confidently. It took a few minutes until the door opened a peek.     

     Mrs. Kay whispered,” Who is there.”       

     I informed her, “You are being honored by five little old ladies who wanted to wish you a happy day.”      

     Mrs. Kay opened the door the entire way to get a better look at us. At first she just starred, but I saw the twinkle in her eye. I smiled brightly for her. Mrs. Kay then began to laugh. As she hung on the door for support I noticed that her pale complexion was beginning to pink up. Behind me I could hear the other girls sigh in relief.     

     Each of us said something nice to her and wished here a happy day. Then I remarked that our few minutes were over due and we must let her rest. Mrs. Kay thanked us for coming and stated it was truly a beautiful surprise. Our visit was the best medicine that she had in a long time. She commented on our lovely attire and told me that my Grandmother had good taste. The door closed.

     The girls were smiling and talking all at one time as we headed back to my Grandmothers’ house.     

     The next afternoon a strange woman that I had never seen before came to my Grandmothers and asked for me. I came out of Grandmothers’ house to greet her. She had tears as she handed me a note.

      I read the note:      "Thanks for the nice visit, Sincerely, Mrs. Kay."

     I looked up at the woman and stated,      “We only wanted to let her know that others cared about her since she was sick.”    

     The woman stated that Mrs. Kay was her aunt. She had passed away that morning, but before her aunt had slipped away she wanted the girls to know how much it had meant to her to know others still cared, and it was by us going to see her that made her leaving easier.    

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