“Do as much as you can, for as many as you can, for as long as you can.” What a wonderful quote to guide one’s life! Last weekend, my husband and I drove up to Huntsville, Alabama, to visit his oldest cousin, Joy. For years, she has organized the drivers for Meals on Wheels and delivered some, as well. She was on her way home after making a dozen deliveries. According to the police report, she passed out near a major intersection, ran the red light, and caused a five-car accident. Remarkably, she didn’t break anything, though she is very sore and bruised, with one swollen, purple leg.
Joy was taken to the hospital for tests and observation and was kept several days as doctors tried to find out what caused her to lose consciousness. They found several small issues, including atrial fibrillation. One daughter flew from Arizona to be with her and take her home; then the other daughter came from Colorado. We overlapped with the second one for two days.
Joy’s car is totaled and, no surprise, she will no longer be driving. “I’ll miss that the most,” she said. “I love to drive.” She just turned 89 and has remained remarkably independent and active, traveling often to see her family and take vacations. Friends and family alike agree that she has the best name – Joy – as she lives up to it every day. She’s eternally optimistic.
On Sunday, when we had to head back home, she said, “Well, at least I can still organize Meals on Wheels even if I can’t deliver them anymore.” She epitomizes the mantra to “do as much as you can, for as many as you can, for as long as you can.”
by Kathleen Vestal Logan, MS, MA May 2, 2019