Pumpkin Pie & Stuffed Animals
Virginia Bartlett sat on the sofa on Christmas day 2007 while Alex the Tigerboy introduced her to his favorite stuffies (stuffed animal friends) and we all enjoyed some dessert. Virginia told 7 year old Alex that she always introduced new stuffed animals to the ones that she already shared her home with on South 4th in Sandpoint. Alex grinned with approval because that is exactly what he does when he brings home a new friend. Over dessert Virigina told us that the last thing her husband ate on this earth before a non-stop trip to Heaven was Pumpkin Pie. We loved that story. Before you say goodbye to this world it would be nice to have a slice of pie.
Alex went with Christine when our Christmas evening ended to take Virginia home and he saluted her (physically) because he appreciated their shared love of stuffed animals and was thrilled when Virginia very thoughtfully gave one of hers for him to take care of forever. We were able to visit Virginia at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d Alene, Idaho; but she was soundly sleeping while we were present. We cherish that peaceful moment.
We met her through the RIDES Program that we started to move folks around to their medical appointments, store trips, banking, etc. She was always what my sisters call “put together”. Her red jacket matched her earrings, belt and shoes. She was thoughtful, funny, and direct. We would visit on the phone frequently and sometimes talk for an hour outside her house in the car after a ride. She really became part of the family.
Virginia left us in her sleep on March 2, 2008 to be reunited with her husband after 97 years, 2 months, and 1 day on planet Earth. We miss
her. We miss her a lot. When we talk about her we think about the 97 years and the 2 months but we focus on the 1 day. What would you do if you only had one day? We have no guarantees that we will live to be 100 and die in our sleep. Any day could be our last day. What will we do with today? That is a question that we should consider as we reach for the best in ourselves and each other. What will we let go of today and what will we embrace today? Something to think about over a slice of pie . . .
