Louis came home with us after aunt Mary’s funeral and George drove down a few days later. I had to go back to work but that gave mom and Louis time together. His long stories, laughter and teasing were good medicine for mom….he was her first-born and they had three and a half years together before I was born. That made a close bond between the two of them. Whereas I was the caregiver, Louis was the good medicine she needed. I was dependable for the long haul and Louis was the entertainment. We each understood our roles and did not envy or resent each other. Mom needed both of us.

When George had to leave for Kansas City, Louis went with him and caught a non-stop flight to Seattle from the KC airport……when I came home the day they left the house seemed large and quiet. It wasn’t quiet enough though. We had an alert that a killer was on the loose and we were warned to keep close watch and stay in after dark. Going to work the next day, we passed two road-blocks and a command center.

The following week-end we had a call from WC that an apartment was available for mom if she wanted it. We had made application some time ago. Mom’s health had improved so that it was possible for her to be a little more independent and the apartment was a large reward for that. We signed the application and mom would be moved the end of the month. She was thrilled and highly anticipated her move. She hated to leave Emma but could still visit back and forth. Mom would still be given her “meds” at the proper time by the nurses aides but take meals in the residents dining room on the apartment side.

At the same time we were adding a second roof over our mobile home, vinyl siding and regulation doors and windows put in. Becky came two different week-ends to apply for work as she wanted to move from Springfield and come back to Willow Springs. With mom living at WC now we told her she could move into mom’s mobile home, which she did, by mid-month. A few days later our clerk’s position was open and I called to tell her she could apply for it. She went right to the office, got the application and filled it out, returning it the same day.

Meanwhile we bought a new refrigerator and took the one we had up for Becky and had to do some improvising to make it fit in the space properly. The water heater had to be replaced and we had a second roof added to stop the leaks. With a new hanging light over the kitchen table and a new washer and dryer, the little home was now outfitted for living again. It was snug and comfortable. A few days later, Sergeant Groves told me Becky had been selected for our clerk, so April was a very good month. Mom got the apartment she wanted and was moved in the end of the month….Becky moved into mom’s mobile home and everyone was happily settled in their new quarters.

The manhunt ended with no one being hurt….the man was subdued and awaiting trial. I suppose he was moved into quarters not to his liking, unlike mom and Becky. April ended with much promise and satisfaction…..our improvements were near completion and we decided to add a deck and sidewalks to our mobile home. It was a good feeling to have all of the “changes” behind us and Spring popping up everywhere. After a sad March, April returned once again to remind us that nature revives dead wood and life blooms once more on barren branches…..somewhere, it is the eternal springtime that we all seek.

Until tomorrow,
Essentially Esther