I’ve always liked November’s skill at blowing the warm months away with icy jabs, but I didn’t know it was special for any
reason other than Veteran’s Day, our granddaughter’s birthday and Thanksgiving. A surprise delivery of flowers from “The Soul Sisters” a couple days ago changed that. The card was inscribed “Happy National Caregivers’ Month, for the woman who defines caring.”
Me?
I assumed sisters meant Carolynn and Leslie, so right away, I took a selfie and sent them a thank you. Les replied she wished she could take credit, but she could not. Later, Carolynn wrote, “They’re from Robin and me, Mom, we’re soul sisters. Leslie and I are are blood sisters.” She said she’d never heard of National Family Caregivers Month either, but Robin had.
Leave it to Robin. Carolynn’s best friend is probably the caring-est person I’ve ever known. She’s a go-getter caregiver, a whirlwind, a hurricane.
Peter answered the door when the flowers were delivered. I figured someone was selling something so I was shocked to see a pleasant young man holding a bright arrangement of autumn flowers. “Are you Judith?” he asked.
“Yes-s…”
“These are for you. Have a wonderful caregiver’s month.” I managed to thank him before he bounded off.
Peter’s chin was glued to my shoulder when I opened the card. “Who are they from?” he asked. When I said “Carolynn and Leslie” he wondered why they’d sent flowers? “Is it Clarke with an ‘e’?” he asked. “Maybe there’s another Judith Clarke on this street. Are you sure they’re for you?” he pestered.
I didn’t want to get into an explanation about caregivers, which he wouldn’t understand anyway, so I said, “Even if they’re not for me, I’m gonna’ keep ’em.”
I kept them.
Header photo: November leaf in the woods.Title: line from In November, a book by childrens’ author Cynthia Rylant.
Leaf graphic: Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry
2016 National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ contest finalist. 
It’s good that you have caregivers in your life in the form of Carolynn and Robin. But I’m all there if your computer breaks down 🙂
You help me in every way, every day, just by being on call and listening to me. Not to forget your practical advice. You’re stuck in the middle with
childrenyoung adults to help as needed and parents too. And don’t you forget it! 😉Sent from my iPad
….Leslie Susan, you are the calm in the storm and offer the river as a sanctuary….you are there day in and day out….when I so wish we could be…we’re just offering “care” from 600 miles. Love you!
Yes, me too, love all of you carers!
You forgot that November is also special for Sheila’s and my birthday. How could you. But Paul and I wish you a very happy caregiver’s month as well. You deserve every petal in that arrangement. Bonnie
Hey, I remembered to send you a card. 😉 Thank you for your kind thoughts!