My eyes met Sgnieszka’s as she sat on a park bench under a tree last summer. I went bananas for the pooch and fell hard for her old man, too.
They took me home to meet Eddy’s longtime sweetheart Junya and yanked me into their triangle of love. We got right down to business; chug-a-lugging tea and popping sweets on the terrasse. They dropped the amazing stories of their lives into my lap while Sgniezka had a smoke, after a cookie and a crap on the floor at our feet.
Despite a daily battle with acute asthma, Junya takes care of Eddy. Since his stroke, he speaks and moves in a slow-motion dance that tests the patience of true love. Junya takes it as it comes. My elderly pals have taught me that there is no time like the present, and in their case, no time for anything but.
I go see Eddy on the first day of spring. I want to help but he won’t let me. I watch him inch his way towards me, slippers scuffing the floor. Time is running out. His mind is pared down to its core. He looks into my eyes and says one word.
Change.
I nod.
Sgniezka is dead.
I nod again. I know. Eddy and Junya put her to sleep in a winter storm. Our eyes lock and he doesn’t blink. My heart cracks. I know what’s coming. I got the news when Eddy’s son in-law left me a comment on this blog. I wished it was spam but I knew it wasn’t.
Junya is dead.
In his thick Polish accent, Eddy tells me.
I lost my wife.
I nod, I touch his arm. The clock ticks. His mind skips. He looks into my eyes for a long time.
When Junya was alive, she would speak on Eddy’s behalf. Now, he speaks for himself. Eddy knows he’s lucky because their daughters, son in-law and grandson are close by.
I’m a lucky man, he says over and over, I am not alone.
Lalka. A new-born puppy yelps and stirs in Eddy’s lap. His daughter knew he needed a friend. When the snow melts, he will take her to his park bench under the tree. Lalka settles into Eddy’s arms and licks his heart clean.
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‘I am not alone’ is the 5th part of a series on the adventures of my triangle of love. Here is Home, Sweet Home, the 6th.
Enjoy the previous ones and let me know what you feel…
Part 1: Puppy Love, Part 2: The Resurrection, Part 3: Never Say Die, Part 4: C’est La Vie
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FAN THE FLAMES: My dear readers, would you help produce this series of love stories about an old man and a puppy – as a book?? If so, please…
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17 Responses to I am not alone (Puppy Love 5)
I love this guy. Does Lalka mean something in Polish?
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Glad you love him. Me, too. ‘Lalka’ means ‘little doll’ in Polish. I am amazed at how sweet and easy she is, as if she knows exactly what Eddy needs.
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Thanks. Keep up the good work. Have a good Passover.
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Throat tightening. A sure sign of a good piece of writing.
Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:45:17 +0000 To: annelewis@sympatico.ca
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Heart-wrenching and heart-warming, again. Nicely done.
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Very touching. I am part polish (mothers side), and think Lalka is a pretty name. I’ve spent 6 years working with elderly in nursing homes and senior apt. communities. I think people’s personalities come through even more at that age. This is the second post in a row I’ve read about ‘death’. Think I’m done for the day ;o) Thanks for sharing.
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beautiful
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Lalka means “Little Doll”. Thank you so much, Brenda, for Part 5 of an ongoing life and also, for taking the time to get to know my parents, Eddy and Dzunia. I miss my mother so much; her many memories live on in my heart, in my soul. I look forward to meeting you one day, Mila, Toronto
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It is my great pleasure, Mila and thank you for your kind words. I love your parents and I will never forget your Mom.
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Lovely post. Poignant.
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Thanks for all your heartfelt comments. I will share them with the old man and his new sidekick.
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I am Eddy and Junya’s niece and my mother is Junya’s older sister. My mom will be 91 years old on May 1. I love your touching blog about the lives of Eddy and Junya and their precious dogs. Since I live in So Cal, I didn’t get to see my aunt and uncle too often. But the times that I did get to spend with them were priceless and I cherish my memories of them. My dear poor mom took her younger sister’s death very hard. Then a week ago, her gentleman friend passed away from a massive stroke. It’s so sad to see my mom going through losing her friends and her sister. Thank you for keeping alive the memory of our elderly people. There are so few of their generation left anymore.
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Thanks for your beautiful words, Barbara, I so appreciate hearing from you and your family. My condolences on the loss of your Aunt Junya. I was privileged to have heard some of her incredible stories. Your mother must have many of her own. Death is sad and such a painful loss for the living, but as Eddy says all the time, teaching and reminding us, c’est la vie.
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Thank you for showing us what wonders can await when you’re willing to simply jump feet-first into knowing other people.
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Thanks, Jennie. It is a joy to share.
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[…] For Part 5, CLICK HERE. […]
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[…] I Am Not Alone […]
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