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The Sidneys and Diane were all early risers—up and about at five every morning preparing a hearty and healthy breakfast. This particular morning they had fresh farm eggs, steamed asparagus and fresh tomatoes from their greenhouse, toast from homemade whole wheat bread, homemade strawberry jam, yogurt, and green tea. After a short time cleaning the kitchen, they all swam laps in the indoor pool.
This was followed by their morning bathroom rituals, including showers with organic soap or shower gel and shampoo. Diane’s favorite shower gel was formulated with a combination of Italian white sage, geranium, and yarrow, which usually doubled as her shampoo. They all used organic moisturizers and sunblocks to protect their skin. Although Cybele looked beautiful without it, she used a minimal amount of organic make-up on her glowing, smooth skin. Diane didn’t use any make-up, since none was needed.
As part of her lively schedule, Cybele made early morning visits every week-day to The Elms Convalescent Center—referred to simply as The Elms. Most of the patients were older and either had no families, or their families had other responsibilities which allowed them limited time to visit. Cybele suggested that Diane go along with her and read to people, take them for walks on the grounds, or simply listen as someone wanted to talk and visit.
This idea appealed to Diane who had learned quite early in life—from the examples set by those around her that each person is on a mission—either for good or for bad. As her sense of responsibility and global awareness developed, she decided to follow in the footsteps of her family to be on a mission for good.
One of the patients at The Elms was Ruth Bennett, a friend and neighbor of Cybele and Philip. Until a few weeks ago, Ruth had lived by herself and had taken a tumble off her front porch when she went out to get her morning newspaper. She had broken her right hip and leg, but was determined to return home as soon as she was sufficiently recuperated.
Some of Diane’s earliest and fondest memories included baking Christmas cookies in Ruth’s kitchen when they were home for the holidays. Her kitchen was always warm and was filled with such comforting aromas as baked apples and cinnamon or melt-in-your mouth gingerbread.
Diane was anxious to see Ruth and ran on ahead of Cybele, who had stopped at the nurses’ station. Since the door was open, Diane poked her head inside to see if Ruth was awake. She was not only awake but was sitting bolt upright in bed knitting and listening to jazz on PBS.
“Hi Miss Ruth!” Diane said as she smiled from ear to ear.
Ruth looked up from her work and exclaimed, “Diane! What a nice surprise!” She dropped her knitting and held out her arms. “Come over here!”
“How are you, my little friend? Just let me look at you. My, how you’ve grown! But I guess I shouldn’t call you little anymore.”
“Please say whatever you like,” Diane said as she bent to give her a gentle hug.
“Thank you, dear. It seems like ages since I’ve seen you. How long has it been?”
“We were here at Christmas, so it’s been about five months.”
“And I love what you’ve done with your hair—short hair suits you. But then, you would look good with any hair style. You take after your mother with that beautiful blonde hair and those big blue eyes. And that grandmother or yours—I really don’t understand how she continues to keep her good looks. We’re the same age, but she looks thirty to forty years younger than me. Well, here I go—not letting you get a word in edge-wise.”
“Oh Miss Ruth—I love to hear you talk—always have. And thank you for the compliments. But the most important thing right now is how you are feeling. Grandma says you broke a hip and a leg. You sure know how to do it right, don’t you? You couldn’t just break one or the other, huh?” Diane giggled.
“Yes, unfortunately it looks like I have become an expert in one fell swoop. But I didn’t do all this by myself—I had help. Some hoodlum left a goody bag on my front porch and I didn’t see it when I went out to get the newspaper. You know I don’t function on all eight cylinders until I have my morning coffee. Anyway, I slid right off the edge of the porch onto the steps. Fortunately Philip came to check on me just a few minutes afterward, as he does every morning, and found me sprawled on the sidewalk like a dead frog. He called an ambulance, and as they say, the rest is history.”
“Oh my goodness! Who could have done such a thing?”
“We have a pretty good idea. And, mark my words, we will catch them. Then they’ll be sorry, if I have anything to say about it. We never used to have any trouble in Rosemont, but things have changed recently. There is a new element in this town with a sick sense of humor. But they won’t be laughing for long,” vowed Ruth.
“Sit down over here, dear,” she said patting the bed next to her. “Now tell me, dear, how are things going with you?”
Diane sat carefully on the edge of the bed. “I almost forgot. Here’s some chocolate candy. I made a variety for you—some with pistachios, some with walnuts, and the rest with your favorite—candied pecans. I tasted them just to make sure they’re alright,” she said with a sheepish smile.
“Mmmm! Thank you Diane! I haven’t had any good chocolate since you were here at Christmas.”
“Well, I hope you eat them in good health. Chocolate is good for you—one of the major food groups,” she grinned. “Just let me know when you need more. In answer to your question, I’m fine Miss Ruth, and glad to be back home again—just can’t help missing my parents already. But we made a pact to treat this year as an adventure. I know they did that mostly for me. They have important work to do and they have each other. Still, I’m determined to make the best of things while they’re gone.”
Just then Cybele entered the room. “Well Ruth, I see that you are once again trying to steal my granddaughter. But it will do you no good. Philip and I are going to lock her in the house so you can’t have her!”
They all laughed and Cybele leaned over to give her friend a hug.
“How are you today, Ruth? You seem to be feeling better.”
“Yes I am. And before you know it I’ll be up and out of here. In fact, Dr. Taylor said I’m making good progress and should be able to go home next week, if I have some help. On that note, since Diane is here for an extended stay, maybe she could come over and help me some. What do you two think about that idea?”
Diane raised her eyebrows in a quizzical manner as she looked at Cybele and waited for an answer.
“That is entirely up to Diane, but I think it’s a grand idea. Just make sure you don’t try to keep her completely away from us,” she laughed. “After all, she’s the best grandchild we have.” They all laughed at that, since Diane was the only grandchild the Sidneys had—and the only one they would ever have.
“Mrs. Simpson said she would help some too, so it will not be a full time job for anyone except me,” she laughed. “After all Cybele, I don’t want you and Philip to skin me alive! I’m too old to die young, but I’m not quite ready to leave this earth yet.”
“Well, hurry up and get better so you can go home,” Diane teased. “Then we can start having some fun around here. I’ll bake you some gingerbread—just the way you taught me—with freshly grated ginger.”
“Mmm…..my mouth is watering already,” said Ruth.
“I’m also going to need someone to get me back and forth to therapy—until I’m able to drive again. Maybe you two could take me early in the morning and Mrs. Simpson could get me home when I’m finished.”
“That won’t be a problem at all, Ruth,” said Cybele. “You know we will do everything we can to help you get well again. All you have to do is say the word and we’ll be there.”
Diane and Cybele stayed with Ruth awhile longer and all three talked and laughed until their sides began to ache. Then they visited the other patients before leaving to go see Philip at the gallery.