Day 23

I spent the day inert and enjoyed it. Felt good to nap, eat, and watch TV without any need to be productive. Today, after church, is the museum volunteer lunch. They are serving corned beef and cabbage. I enjoy the get-togethers. It’s the only time I get to see the other volunteers. Hollie is feeling overwhelmed with the business of the fire. She has a cold. Not surprised that stress would get to her. I contributed a pot of beans and ham.

Palm of the Hand memoir

Tuesday, while waiting in line at Walgreen’s, I noticed a man at the window waiting for his medications. When he turned around I saw that it was Roger Chindgren. We hugged and did a quick catch-up. Roger was the training officer for the first VIP’s group. At that time Rick Metcalf was chief and he called the group SCOP, for senior citizens on patrol. Mary Stuart recruited me and it was Roger who interviewed me and did the background check. He said my history was a “snore.”  There were at least 12 people in the original group. At first four of us went out together and then broke into twos. Ruby was my partner for a couple of years and then she recruited her friend and wanted her as a partner. At the next meeting, Gene Lyssenko was also looking for a new partner as his moved away. Gene looked around the group and seemed to be looking for another male partner when I spoke up in a tiny voice that I would be his partner. After a pause that seemed hours long, he said, we can try that. It was a great experience and he became a best friend in so many ways. We did an evening tour beginning at four PM that included door shaking and school inspections. In the dark, I got to use the spotlight to look into the dark corners of parking lots and in the cemetery. After speaking with Roger, I realized that I am the only survivor of the original group.