Scribblings

Uncle Gil

This morning I got an email from my cousin Bob letting my know that my Uncle Gilbert's in the hospital. He needs to have a triple bypass and an aortic valve replacement Monday. I wrote about my uncle last year, Yingle Bells and Uncle Gil. Bob said in his post that he would be running around a lot so I called Anne, his sister. Anne told me that Uncle Gil began complaining of feeling tired and looking ill for the last several weeks. He is 78 now -- or maybe it's 79? Anyway, everyone kept urging him to go to the doctor, go to the doctor and he kept saying no. Men! Finally, though, he felt so sick he called his doctor who told him to go to the hospital right away. They ran some tests on him and found he had three blockages and a problem with his aortic valve. Then he began fighting with the doctor because he didn't want the surgery. He figured he was old, he'd lived a nice long life and that was that. The doctor said fine, he'd just go ahead and tell the Dept. of Motor Vehicles that Gil shouldn't be allowed to drive anymore. ACK! Next thing he knew, Uncle Gil was being transferred to North Shore University Hospital system. I think he's actually in Long Island Jewish Hospital.

After I got off the phone with Anne, I called my Uncle Gil. He sounded pretty good and was surprised to hear from me, wondering how I knew he was in the hospital. Bob emailed me, I explained, and then chatted with him for a good 10 minutes or so. I'm glad to hear that he sounded good although he is understandably nervous about the surgery. I think he was glad to hear from me although he kept saying he didn't want to upset the other members of the family because there was nothing we could do but pray for him. Well, I said, we love you and want you to know that we're doing just that. What is with the men in my mother's side of the family? No one wants to let on at all that they're not well! Then everyone feels upset that these secrets are kept from them. I didn't find out my Uncle Bob (Aunt Betty's husband) or my Uncle John (Mom & Gilbert & Betty's brother) were dying until almost the end. It was awful.

Speaking of stubborn older relatives, I'd asked Anne about her mom. My Aunt Betty has been alone since my uncle passed from cancer in 1999. Every year she becomes more isolated and Anne and Bob are becoming very frustrated. Recently, she's given up driving and she'll call them constantly to get them to come over and take her somewhere or make dinner for her. The last couple of years, she's gone to Georgia to stay the winter with my youngest cousin, Edith, who's been living there with her hubby and two kids for almost 10 years now. My cousins have been trying to get my aunt to sell her house and move to GA with Edith. So far, my aunt has resisted. Now, though, there's a good possibility that both Anne and Bob and their spouses will be moving south so I guess we'll see how much longer Aunt Betty will hold out.

There are just the four sibs left on my mother's side and everyone is widowed but her. My Uncle Russell is 87 and he's doing great out there in California. He's taken such good care of himself he'll probably still be going when he is 100. My uncles Bjorn and John both died. Then there is Uncle Gil, my aunt -- who is 76 -- and my mom, who is 74. They are all so stubborn. Maybe that will keep them all going!

Saturday Six:

1. Think back to weddings you have attended (other than your own): what was the nicest part of the one you liked the most?

The nicest part was the dancing. I can't dance well but I enjoyed dancing with Rich very much at the reception

2. What is your favorite color and which room of your home has the most of this color in it?

My favorite color is burgundy. The room with the most of this color, I think, would be the living room. The drapes are burgundy.

3. What is your favorite kind of popcorn:
A) Unsalted
B) Buttered
C) Extra Butter
D) Kettle Corn
E) Caramel Corn

I would say the good old fashioned extra-butter movie popcorn, #C

4. Take a little time (!!) for a quick inventory of the clocks in your home: how many do you have and what is the widest difference between any two of them?

Okay, let's see: grandfather clock & cable clock in the TV; cable clock in the family room, 2 alarm clocks in our bedroom, computer clocks, Heidi's alarm clock upstairs ... the widest difference? Probably not more than 5 minutes

5. When was the last time you used a real rotary dial telephone to place a call?

Oh my ... years. I'm not sure how many

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #34 from Shannon: What is your favorite sport and why?

My favorite sport is bowling. I started bowling when I was about 11 and continued for my adult life until the kids were older. I haven't really bowled in over 5 years and I miss it. I enjoyed it very much, finding it to be relaxing and challenging at the same time