Memories of an Angel

 What a grand few days we had with D2 and Betsy visiting! Last night we went to Platea and feasted on a Miami Spice menu, with steak, ceviche, branzono, and Wifey getting a delicious lobster tail. We savored having our second born for a few days -- her beauty, and charm, and wit truly lighting up our house.

This am she and I walked the 'hood, and saw a big tree limb had fallen, blocking 66 Avenue. I called the Pinecrest Police non emergency number, and 45 minutes later, 2 trucks were on scene, removing the limb and cleaning the street. That coupled with the decision, for now, to abandon the stupid bike lane project made me happy about our Village -- I wrote on the Village page about their Zurich-like response to the tree issue.

Nestor the affable handy man came by, and repaired a few outdoor lights, as well as a few other things I was too lazy to do myself. Our $10K refrigerator, 3 years old, has decided to stop illuminating its freezer lights, and I have Glyn's coming Monday. Ah -- the joys of homeownership...

But the day had a true highlight -- as I was finishing with Dania, my nearly 3 decade haircutter. An older blonde woman came up to me and said hello. She looked a little familiar, but I couldn't   quite place the face. She said "David -- it's Tracy!" and then the memories came flooding back.

More than 25 years ago, her daughter Michelle and D1 were classmates in grade school, and Michelle was diagnosed with a very nasty leukemia -- life threatening. We visited them at Holtz Children's, and that night I emailed Dr. Barry, then a PICU attending, to ask if maybe he could stop by just to say hello.

The next morning he did so, and reported to me "Nice folks -- yes, scary diagnosis -- but she'll be ok."

THEN came THE email -- from Tracy. I remember most of the 3 pages, but the highlights were that she didn't think angels walked among us until she met Barry. He came by late in the evening, after a VERY long day at his job, and ended up staying with Tracy and Robert for hours -- explaining and comforting them about Michelle -- saying she would be just fine, though it would be awful for awhile, first.

Thereafter, he stopped by daily, to check in and liason with the pedi-oncology team -- making sure Michelle was treated like the princess she was.

Tracy made it clear to me today that she would NEVER forget what he did, though I admit that the fog of time had dimmed my memory a bit. I think I had Barry and Donna over with Tracy and Robert, after Michelle was discharged, and we toasted the wonderful recovery.

Michelle went to Columbia, and became an LPN -- married and with kids. Tracy said she's needed some joint replacements over the years -- they really use strong chemo on kids to cure them, and there are side effects -- but she is doing terrifically.

I went to Roasters and fetched lunch for Wifey and her friend Jeannette and myself, and drove home misty eyed recalling the beauty of my brother. I emailed his beloved nieces, my Ds, and D2 came up with a great idea -- a "Teddy Barry"for the kids at Holtz. Barry reminded us the kids are there to get cured, not terrified.

But D2 left as Wifey and Jeannette were catching up -- Jeannette just left -- and I was left with memories of an angelic act so long ago, that is well remembered.

Wow -- what a few days I've had!