Exercising One's Civic Duty

Hello Family and Friends

When Mum wants to tell us or ask us something, we frequently need to
present a verbal list of possible topics before we discover the
"general area" of conversation that Mum wishes to have with us.

During time identifying discussion topics on Saturday, Catherine was
perplexed about the keen interest that Mum had in a particular topic
that did not fit the usual categories of health care, communication,
family, friends, community events, and things that Isabel wants her
daughters to do (also known as "orders").

Mum finally rolled her eyes, motioned to the letter-board and rapidly
spelled out "vote". She and Catherine then had a 15 minute
"conversation" about events leading up to the Saskatchewan provincial
election this week. Catherine was not up to speed on all of
Isabel's questions including the names and positions of all the
candidates in the riding where Isabel lives. We might have to count
on a son-in-law for that analysis!

One of Isabel's doctors came during that discussion, and Catherine
suggested that this was a good time for Isabel to teach him the
letter-board. He declined claiming possible political pressure placed
on him by a patient. Perhaps next week he will agree to be one of
Isabel's students! As he left, he reminded Isabel that she did have
the right to vote and she nodded enthusiastically.

Here's a toast to Isabel and her keen interest in civic and community
issues -- and educating others!

Mum has had another steady week of 6 hours off the respirator each
day. Slow but steady goes this marathon.

Nancy, Janet, and Catherine