Publication: Fifty & Furthermore
Angels and Elephants | |
Subscribe FREE to Fifty & Furthermore by clicking here.
FIFTY & FURTHERMORE - Thursday, December 14, 2006
"I'm Dr. Dorree Lynn, founder of FiftyandFurthermore.com.
Growing older can be a time for creative and passionate
living, and I will apply my years as a psychologist to
help you with the challenges and wonders that come with
this new life stage."
------------------------------------------------------------
Hello and welcome to FIFTY & FURTHERMORE!
Today I will share a moving story as told by one of
FiftyandFurthermore.com's newest contributors. If you
would like to make a comment or ask me a question,
please email me at the address below and as always, I
will do all
I can to provide you with the advice you seek.
As I always say, "life is too hard to do alone - reach
out!"
Dr. Dorree Lynn, Psychologist
Please send questions and comments to:
email Dr. Lynn
ELEPHANTS AND ANGELS by Becky Busey
Dr. Witold Winiarz was a dignified, traveled, multilingual
psychiatrist and great-grandfather who died at the age of
ninety-nine. I remember my last lunch with him. We sat in
his sun room as my kids played quietly on the floor. He
had been resting most of the day. We sat at the table with
the clean white tablecloth and silver rimmed plates waiting
in silence. It was then that he made his loud announcement
with determination. "I feel I have lived a long life, I
have done many things, had a family. I am ready to die."
There was a rush of activity. The maid moved more quickly
to serve food. Everyone shifted uncomfortably. There were
murmurs and fumbling. People seeking something to fidget
with in an effort to appear preoccupied and avoid address-
ing the subject. My mother urged in a hushed yell, "Dad!
Don't say that! That's not going to happen!" From the
other room I heard the high pitched Texas-squawk from the
step-witch, "Viiiitold! That'sTeeeerrriibulll!!! Don't
tell them that!."
I stared blankly, holding my breath. Have I missed some-
thing? These seemed like rational... okay, rational is
too strong a word... non-delusional people. Are Papa and
I the only ones seeing the big light here? You know, the
big light at the end of the tunnel illuminating the large
white elephant that no one is talking about!
I believed Papa had earned the right to talk about this.
If anyone should have an opinion on when and how Dr.
Winiarz would take his last breath, shouldn't it be him?
My confusion melted into the sadness of the lost conver-
sation. The conversation that would have lasted another
lifetime. The words I would have reflected upon on my
own death bed, waiting, anticipating the unknown.
This was a man who, by any standard, might have the
answers. This was a ninety-nine year old man who
studied psychiatry in Vienna. He was a ships doctor
and a friend. He traveled to India and China and
Afghanistan. He wrote books and survived war and Naz
is. He came to America seeking peace and then soon
buried two sons, struck dead by lightening. This elder
spoke seven languages and kept a book of jokes inside
his coat pocket. He enjoyed Lawrence Welk and precisely
measured martinis. "Papa, what do you expect to happen
when you die?" "Do you believe in God? in Jesus? in
Buddha, reincarnation?" "Are you afraid?" " Why are we
here?" "What have you learned?" "Do you have any last
confessions? Am I Jewish?" Yet we were separated by a
chasm of inappropriate dialog, disapproving glares and
a feeble hearing aid.
--------------------------------------------------------
I'm Walking Here....
Here's an item (the Telescopic Walking Stick) that I never
really thought I would use. But I decided to try it out
when we went for a walk along a trail a few weeks ago.
It was fun to use.... yes I said fun. When we would come up
to a stream, I would poke at things in it. I also used it
when I wanted to venture off the beaten path, just to make
sure that there were no snakes in front of me. Believe it or
not, it made the walk more enjoyable. Check it out and the
unbelievable low price.
Normal Price: $19.99
DEAL PRICE: $8.27
Whether you're an avid hiker or just looking for a little
extra help walking around, the Telescopic Walking Stick is
just what you need. It's fully adjustable to fit your height
and the spring loaded shaft helps reduce strain on your wrists,
back, knees, legs and feet. With a built in compass it will get
you through hard rocky terrain or just across the street.
Make Walking Fun with The Walking Stick
--------------------------------------------------------
I see my family sporadically and talk to them on the
phone a couple times a month. I love them, but common
interests don't overlap much. Over Thanksgiving we
caught up. I asked my older brother about his work, his
dating, or lack thereof. I asked about the health and
happiness of his many, many cats. I am not real into
politics and computers, so it leaves a lag in conversa-
tion. I asked my sister about art school, her boyfriend
and the prospects of shaving her legs sometime in the
next year. Then ... I got nothin'. My parents are
retired. Dad is friendly but nutty. I need to avoid some
topics there. Mom doesn't want to discuss her "diagnosis."
That is how she refers to her Parkinson's Disease. Men-
tioning it only irritates her. Anyways, Jesus is sche-
duled to heal her soon. Why don't we talk about more
meaningful topics? I think of all the frivolous time
spent discussing weddings and movies, politics and
gossip. What a waste!
Lest you think I am a shrinking violet, unwilling to
grow from my lost opportunity, I will share some more.
I have recently made a new friend. Evelyn and I go to
church together in Oklahoma. She is the most engaging
seventy year-old woman I have ever had the pleasure of
befriending. I held her captive one afternoon in her
own house as she was recovering from foot surgery. I
brought my prisoner some lunch and softened her up
with a little humor. Evelyn shared with me the death
of her own mother, Dorothy. Evelyn's family is so oddly
normal and loving that they ought to be studied in a
laboratory. Perhaps that is why she speaks of the death
so easily.
Evelyn's mother took several days in the hospital to
make her unusual final departure. Evelyn and the rest
of the family sat with her. Doctors quizzically checked
on Mother repeatedly. Nurses skeptically observed her.
Finally, even a psychiatrist was secretly called in to
evaluate the situation. Mother and the psychiatrist had
a lengthy chat about her favorite football teams and
all the stats and players. The psychiatrist said Mother
was normal. The diagnosis was not mutual. Mother de-
clared, "That man needs help! He doesn't even know what
day it is, or where he's at!" You see, she was not on
any medicine that would cause delusions. There was no
organic cause to explain these paranormal events.
------------------------------------------------------------
*-------> GREAT STOCKING STUFFER <-------*
f-r-e-e Keychain Laser Pointer - 5 Interchangeable Patterns
This handy laser pointer projects a beam of light over
1000 feet and comes with 5 interchangeable image heads.
This is perfect for teachers, students, tour guides, and
for presentations. Even Dogs and cats love this laser
pointer too, they will chase the laser dot around for
hours. Get this handy laser pointer for F-R-E-E, just pay
shipping and handling cost of $3.99 plus $.99 for each
additional. Claim your F-R-E-E Laser Pointer by visiting:
Keychain Laser Pointer
------------------------------------------------------------
Mother laid in the bed enraptured and tickled at the sight
of all the colorful angels visiting her room. The colors
were grandiose and the lighthearted feeling that the angels
gave her inspired and tickled the family and staff who
frequented the room. Mother would say, "Evelyn, over there!
Circle your arms around and walk to the other side of the
bed! There, Now! Your hand just went right through one!
Did you feel anything?" This was a lot of fun for everyone
involved. The heavenly visitations continued for three days.
Everyone was excited and anxious to hear of the splendor of
the angels. The doctor made many notes, and spent a lot of
time searching for a logical source of the delusions. The
doctor had known this family for years. They were good,
sane, hard-working folks. He could not come to a
scientific conclusion.
Later, when Evelyn returned from the bathroom, Mother
inquired excitedly, "Evelyn! Did you see them!" "Who,
Mother?" Evelyn responded. "Daddy and Bob! They were
here! They said they are preparing a place for me, a
big house! And it's almost ready!" Tears of emotion
welled in Evelyn's eyes as she yearned for her father
and husband's company once again. "Mother, what are
you going to do?" Mother turned serious as she asked,
"About what?" Evelyn implored, "That house, Mother!
How are you going to redecorate that great big house?
You know Daddy always hangs the wallpaper upside down!
You're going to have to redo everything!" The two women
laughed! Mother said, "Kids, I am having the most fun
dying!" Even the doctor was convinced that this was a
genuine spiritual experience.
I hold this story close to my heart. It gives me comfort,
reassurance and hope. I am so grateful to Evelyn for
sharing the experience with me.
------------------------------------------------------------
For more insight and advice from Dr. Lynn visit:
fiftyandfurthermore.com
------------------------------------------------------------
GopherCentral's Question of the Week
Topical, timely, controversial, click the link to answer
this week's GopherCentral.com Question of the Week.
Please take a moment to share your opinion, visit:
http://rd.gophercentral.com/al/a?aid=7541&ent=2501
Question of the Week
------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for recent issues of Fifty & Furthermore? Go to:
Fifty & Furthermore Archives
************************************************************
Want some Fun and Amusements sent by email F-R-E-E? Visit:
Newsletters
************************************************************
END OF Fifty & Furthermore - Another F-R-E-E GopherCentral publication
F-R-E-E Publication
Copyright 2006 by NextEra Media. All rights reserved.
 E-Mail this issue
Subscribe FREE to Fifty & Furthermore by clicking here.
|