She couldn't recall a time when the urge to write was silent.
Her box full of journals and diaries was a testament to that. Everything that happened to Joan since she could form memories was dutifully logged by putting pen to paper. Nothing was too inconsequential to write about.
April 12, 1960…I saw a ladybug today. It was pretty. I named her Princess.
December 1, 1965…Oh my gosh! I think Peter has a crush on me. That’s what Mom calls it. A crush. I think he’s groovy and I really dig his hair. It swoops down over his forehead and flips up in the back. Plus we both love the Beatles.
October 1, 1969…Mr. Loewus named me editor of Lance’s features section. Far out! I’ll be the first junior to hold that position and, not to brag, but also the first girl. I’ll have free rein over the page layout and I may even get to write a weekly column. I’m thinking “Joanie’s Jottings.” Too corny?
June 1, 1971…I’m a nervous wreck. I’m giving the valedictorian speech at graduation tonight which means since I’m in the front row I won’t be able to walk in withJosh. His silly jokes would’ve kept me calm.
September 28, 1974…Clint blew out his knee in the Tech game today. Poor baby. I feel so badly for him. I’m heading to the hospital now to give him some TLC.
June 10, 1975…Who could have predicted that graduating a semester early would meanI’d miss Bill Cosby as our commencement speaker? As they say, it’s all about timing.
May 2, 1977…Guess what I saw sitting on my steering wheel this morning on my way to the office? A ladybug. It was so beautiful. Reminded me of being a little girl.I love ladybugs.
December 20, 1980…Lisa set me up with a date for her company’s Christmas party. Not really in the market for a guy right now after all that drama with Clint. ButI’ll humor her. It’s Christmas, after all! And you know how much I love Christmas.
July 17, 1981…I wonder if Ted is having second thoughts. I was for awhile. We’ve only known each other since Christmas, but nothing has ever felt this right.Besides, Mom and Dad got engaged after their first date. If we can be as happy as they are, that would be about all I could ever ask for.
February 1, 1986…I never knew I could love someone this much. And I’ve only known her for one day. Tina came early, much to our surprise. But the way we look at is we get her for six weeks longer than expected. What a blessing.
December 25, 1993…Ted’s folks got Tina the cutest little top for Christmas. It has ladybugs all over it. How did they know?
June 1, 1996…I’m off to Atlanta for the next two months. What an assignment! Jeremy has me writing profiles on US Olympians for a series the paper is doing on hometown heroes. Going to be some quick turnarounds. One feature a day till the opening ceremonies. I’m going for the gold! Haha.
January 1, 2000…So is it the first year of the new millennium or the last year of the old one? That was the topic of endless discussion at the party last night. (I say we’re still in the 20th century. There’s no such thing as the year 0.) Oh, and we survived Y2K. No planes fell from the sky, my computer still works, and my coffee maker turned on all by itself at 7 AM, just as I programmed it. Disaster averted!
December 1, 2002…Why do things like this always happen during the holidays? Ted went in for his annual review today and was told they were “going in a different direction.” I won’t say which direction I think they should go! Wouldn’t be polite. This is the thanks for 30 years of service?
September 2, 2004…What a bittersweet day. Got a call from my agent that the book is being published! Yay! Three hours later we drove Tina to Auburn. Boo! She’s seven hours away but we’re hoping for some trips home. Thank you, Delta, for SkyMiles. I’m so glad I have deadlines to keep me distracted from how terribly I’m going to miss her.
October 15, 2009…So unlike me. I missed a deadline. Me! Never missed one on any of the other books, but somehow it just slipped my mind or something. I can’t really explain it. Yipes. Got some making up to do.
February 12, 2013…Instead of Mom and Dad flying out for my 60th we ended up flying to them. I didn’t really expect they were going to make it. Dad’s not doing well at all after the last trip to the ER. He didn’t recognize me at first. Not sure he recognized me the whole time we were there. They say it’s called ICU delirium. Older patients get confused, what with being in strange surroundings, taking different meds, going through traumatic procedures, and of course, he’s almost 90. I’m not sure if he’ll ever be the same Daddy I knew.Dr. Hiraway took me aside and explained something I’ll never forget. He said, “We are once a man and twice a child.” It’s going to be hard on Mom, for sure.Daddy’s going to be dependent on her for everything.
October 22, 2015…I’ve gotta hand it to Mom. After Daddy died she took the bull by the horns, sold the house, did all the paperwork and moved to Louisville to be near us. It’s a beautiful independent living community we found just two miles down the road. She’ll be with us for two weeks while they get the place ready. I drove her over there to sign some papers this morning and I got lost. I know,right? I couldn’t believe it. Better start using the GPS.
February 12, 2016…Ever have one of those times when you walk into a room and you can’t remember what you went in there for? Now add a room full of strangers waiting for you in that room. Ted had arranged a little surprise party for my birthday. Surprise is right. I had even forgotten it was my birthday. Yipes! Am I that old?
March 14, 2018…I don’t want to freak anyone out, but when I woke up this morning,there was a strange man next to me in bed. He didn’t try to hurt me. He was very calm. He said he was my husband. I don’t know what to tell Ted when he gets home.
June 16, 2019…Had an appointment at the carpenter restaurant doctor’s office today. I haven’t been feeling well lately. Darla told me to take off as much time as I needed. So I went to the doctor and he gave me some tests. Had to draw a clock and memorize some words. Ted said I did well. I thought I did great.
June 18, 2019…Got the report back from the doctor. It’s called mild cognitive impairment. MCI––which I always remember as a phone company. It’s what the doctor said: MCI. I’m not as upset as I guess I should be. Gonna lie down for a bit. I’m really tired.
November 5, 2019…I heard the doctor say the words “early onset” then didn’t hear anything after that. Ted held my hand and I knew it wasn’t good news. How am I going to tell Tina and Joe?
December 25, 2019…I love Christmas. Ted and Tina did most of the cooking while I sat like a lump in front of the fireplace, feeling guilty. There was wrapping paper all over the floor but I just didn’t feel like picking it up. I could have; I wasn’t that tired. But that would have meant Christmas was that much closer to being over. And you know what they always said about me and Christmas decorations and celebrations: “More is more!” Later on we’ll watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”Wow! That ought to be the title of my next book.
January 1, 2020…I love New Year’s Day. I get up early, do my quiet time, and make a list of resolutions and goals for the year ahead. So what do I think would make a great 2020? Well, I hope I still know Ted and Tina next year at this time. My family is my everything. So blessed! So, so blessed! Thank You, Lord.
April 12, 2020…I saw a ladybug this morning. It was pretty. I named her Princess.