Dear Bebe

Dear Bebe,

It's been a year since Mom called me to tell me about your visit to the doctor. It's been a year since you were diagnosed with cancer. It's been a year since you went to Piedmont. A whole year. So much has changed, so much you've missed.

Lee graduated from Riverwood, and now he's a freshman at UGA. He pledged Sigma Chi--a frat boy just like Dad and Steve! Emily graduated from Samford, and she has a job at Mt. Paran Christian School up in Kennesaw as an athletic trainer. Will is a senior. He's got colleges after him for baseball, and he's still dating the same girl. Ruthie started school at Georgia State this fall, and she's working her tail off! You would be so proud of your grandchildren, Bebe!

I wanted to call you last week to tell you a funny story about one of my patients. I wanted to call you the week before that to tell you about my new apartment. I wanted to call you a few months ago and tell you all about my new job, my trip to Seattle, the apartment search. Your number is still in my phone, I hope that's okay. I've wanted to talk to you so much recently. I still can hear the sound of your voice and the warmth of your laughter. I hope those memories never fade from my mind.

We miss you like crazy, Bebe. It's been a year, but yet the grief remains. It's been a year, but we're all still learning to walk with a limp. Thanksgiving will be hard, but not hopeless. Keep saving our seats, Bebe.

Love,

your Anna

quotables

My job involves working directly with people. People, no matter what the age, are always interesting. I've only been at my job for 3 weeks now, but I've already been told some pretty funny things. I thought I'd record some of them here to give myself a way to "keep track" of them...

1. First day seeing patients, the first patient I go see: We're working on swallowing therapy, and this particular patient requires thickened liquids. He hasn't said much of anything for the whole session, but as I'm about to leave he pipes up: "Next time, bring thickened beer." Me: "Sir, I'd love to, but I think you'll have to talk to your doctor about that." Patient: "I bet doctor come drink beer with me." Whatever you say, sir...

2. 6 year-old boy, in the middle of speech evaluation: "I was gonna tell you somefing but I not supposed to...but I gonna anyways." (I'm expecting some major secret his mom or dad have asked him to keep.) "I have six Stah Wahs moobies." :)

3. 8 year-old girl, when asked what kind of music she likes: "Well, there's this one song that's kind of in the middle." Me: "What song?" Girl: "Baby Got Back. That and Bad to the Bone." Seriously?

4. 3 year-old in the waiting room: Picks up the phone in front of the secretary's desk and says "Hello Batman!" He then said it was for me and handed me the phone to take a message.

This is only 3 weeks in, I'm sure there will be many more quotables to come!