The Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square

There are days when magic happens at Wascana and Wednesday past was one of them. Isabel eagerly awaited a visit from her longtime friends Don & Marion of Aber-Calgary whom she had not seen in nearly two years. Much water has passed under the bridge since the last visit of these old friends. Transition has happened in each of their lives as well as the lives of other close friends. Isabel & Rufus III were outside at the west doors of Wascana to greet Marion & Don as they rolled in with family members.
Late the day before, the Lysters, and Isabel had learned that Larry & Marj Middleton would once again be the featured entertainment at the Veterans' Happy Hour one floor above Mum's unit on Wednesday afternoon. Our parade of wheelchairs and walkers rolled in 40 minutes before Happy Hour began to ensure we found good seats. We were greeted by a visiting Veteran who was celebrating his 87th birthday and whom has come to help host this Happy Hour for nearly 30 years. The Women's Auxiliary to a Regina Legion (some whom have also been volunteering for more than 25 years) quickly found us chairs and offered drinks and snacks.

As Don said "Larry can make that sax talk". Marj's keyboard skills complemented the sax for an hour of easy dance music. Larry invited the crowd of 100 to identify songs. Don & Isabel were quick to call out the World War II tune: The Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square after just a few bars. We may not have been under the enchantment of nightingales in wartime London, but we were amid the magic of dance music stirring tired feet and old memories of many veterans and their spouses. Hands clasped, feet tapped, and we could all imagine summer evenings 70 years ago. As the hour was coming to a close, Marion & Don pushed away their walkers to invite their daughters to dance. Isabel's applause for this surprise performance came through the pounding of her wooden spoon on her wheelchair table.

We are grateful for longtime friends with courage and determination; younger friends with the gift of music who share it so willingly in longterm care facilities in Balcarres and Regina; and moments of magic in a longterm care facility where lives continue to find meaning through the gifts of staff and volunteers.

Gratitude Three Years Later

Isabel kept a daily diary for over 50 years. Her last entry was three years ago today, August 8, 2007.

"Feeling tough today so didn't do much; bones all sore; eyes sore & weak. Clayton helped me haul door from Joe Englot's to Foster School. Sewing Mary's school bag."

This week, Mum wrote a letter to friends who are also West Nile Neurological Syndrome Survivors and said:

"I remember the next day I felt even worse and then I don't remember a single thing, not one, until nearly Christmas when I very gradually began to 'be with it' after 4.5 mos. The rest is history. It has been 3 years of struggling, hard work, disappointments, elation as goals have been reached, growing even closer to my family, and making new friends like you and other West Nile survivors. I have learned to appreciate the therapists who work so hard to help me and never give up on me and the nurses for their care. I feel so lucky to have Wascana where I can get help and I am grateful for my many friends and relations who visit, send emails, and cards etc. that keep me sane! When I feel discouraged with my progress, I remind myself how I was 3 years ago. I keep on pedalling because I know if I stop I will fall off! I have learned much in this time and made such good friends with you and the other West Nilers, which never would have happened if that mosquito hadn't come along."

To all of you survivors and families whom we have met over the last three years..... strength and hope for the journey.

And thank you, each and every one of you, who continue to send your support our way in various forms. We are indeed grateful.

Isabel and her Gang.