Thank you! To the young FB friend who read my story about Mr B and asked...
"Is Mr. B your 'Fella' who came to Beyond Therapy at Woods Hole Theater Company a few years back? YES! My 'fella'! I picked him up and brought him to my show! He had to hang around Woods Hole for 2 hours before taking his seat in the front row. When I apologized for dragging him to Woods Hole so early he said "Sweetie, I'll get along. Go Do your thing and I'll see you after the show." After the show, he folded chairs to help out the theater company while he waited for me to change. He spoke to each of the actors telling them he was my 'fella' and how much he enjoyed the show. When I finally got him alone in the car I thanked him for charming everyone at the theater. "Oh", he said as he buckled his seat belt, looking up and out from above his glasses, "I know how to be useful and behave in public. I couldn't be prouder to be here as your 'fella'." I laughed and asked "truthfully, did you like the show?" There was some silence. I asked again. "So, did you like the show?" He said "oh you are very talented. Yes, yes the show was terrific. I just wished I could have heard it!" "What?" I bellowed! "You couldn't hear us? You were in the front row!" "Yes, yes I know but I'm waiting for more comfortable hearing aids from the VA." I couldn't believe he sat thru that entire play wondering what we were saying! He did hear me shout out swear words from the stage while in character. He said "that was quite a delivery" and we both laughed. He reminded me of another older man I sold a house for. Tom was blind from diabetes. He never wore dark glasses. He was in his 70's, handsome, well dressed and quite a flirt. He could not leave the home when I showed it to buyers so he sat like a prop at the kitchen table. I would open the door and yell good morning. I'd hear him welcome me and I'd head toward the kitchen with clients in tow. As we entered he'd say "Good Morning, you look ravishingly today". Or "wow, have you lost some weight? Looking good!" Or my favorite " I love that color on you!" I'd laugh and say "flattery will get you everywhere! " Now... If only he could see! He'd laugh and assure me "there's nothing wrong with these eyes!" One day, I asked him to describe me. He said. "You are average height, solid and stocky with fair skin, dark hair and green eyes. Your energy enters the room before you and joy is what resonates. Your laugh tells me you are genuine and your handshake tells me your fearless. You wear a lot of red, or if you don't you ought to. You have the curiosity of a child which is endearing." He stopped moved his head in my direction and said "how'd I do?" I was speechless in my red jacket. I kissed his cheek as I said good bye and walked to my car, stunned. He had better eyes than most and yet he was blind. Mr B sat through 2 hours of Community Theater in the front row and only heard vowel sounds and yet was able to tell each actor which part he liked most of their roles. Maybe the lesson is to hear with our eyes and see with our ears more often. Thank you FB friend, for reminding me...of my 'fella' RIP Mr.B and Tom
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My letter to the 2016 Falmouth Road Race Runners... |
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