Rita's Reflections: Making memories during life with Larry
Edward Everett Tanner III was an American author known by the pseudonym Patrick Dennis. I haven’t read anything written by Mr. Dennis, but I snickered at his quote: “I always start with a clean piece of paper and a dirty mind.” I will keep this as clean as possible.
Although I occasionally share tidbits, I don’t usually let anyone read my musings before the editor does. That includes my hubby, Larry. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with my sweetie on his birthday.
Larry and I rented an apartment for the first year and a half of our marriage. Moving from the country to the city, I thought I would go bonkers. It felt claustrophobic and stifling. Like I couldn’t take a full breath. I need space away from maddening crowds. It was a rude awakening on how to tolerate other people’s behavior in close proximity. We counted the days until we could move back to our roots and the area Larry grew up.
Our first morning together as husband and wife, we were rudely awakened around 7 a.m. when the manager used her key and entered our apartment. In our sleepy state, we thought the building had to be on fire. What do we grab or cover up first?! Whatever the reason, the manager assumed we were long gone on some romantic honeymoon much further than the sleepy town of Dundee, Michigan. We wished.
Our first winter together, Larry asked his supervisor if he could give me a tour of the plant as well as accompany him on outside rounds. Thinking it would be just a couple of hours, Mr. M happily obliged. The plan was I would leave after the tour and return at the end of Larry’s shift. Mother Nature had other plans. Sleet and snow started falling. I didn’t want to go anywhere. Imagine Mr. M’s surprise when the shift ended, and Larry entered his office with me still in tow. I may be the first and only spouse to get an 8-hour tour.
Larry was retired only six months when we moved my then 91-year-old mother in with us and our two dogs. The fact that Larry had no qualms to such a move is a testament to his character. Mom lived with us for 2 1/2 years before she felt too isolated and wanted to be around people her own age with activities and trouble to get into. In May, Mom behaved long enough to be crowned Ms. Senior Monroe County representing Marian Place. Mom was crowned by our very own hometown royalty – Kaye Lani Raye Rafko-Wilson; Miss America 1988!
We also welcomed our son, his two young children and their dog into our home for a time when their lives were upended. The term “sandwich caregivers” was coined for those caring for aging parents at the same time as raising grandchildren. Many days, we had two grandkids in highchairs, plus several more around the dinner table. Our house was often a loud and messy diner.
Half of every month, we watch two of our seven grandchildren longer than folks working 9-5 jobs. Larry gets up at 4:45 a.m., the same time he did when he was working. We don’t have every weekend off either. Larry and I have grown weary hearing the overused word busy. Everyone puts their time, their energy and their love into what they choose to.
I met Larry on his 16th birthday and tease him I was his forever gift. I am. Truth is, he has been the biggest gift and blessing to me. Larry is my prince and knight in shining armor. With all this royalty around me, I’m trying really hard to act like a princess. So far, being me is a lot more fun.
Rita Wyatt Zorn is a wife, mother, grandmother and lifetime Monroe County resident. She can be reached at 7.noniez@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Rita's Reflections: Making memories during life with Larry
