Thursday, March 26, 2009

My day with Manny yesterday... that man can EAT!!

Ok so yesterday I took Manny to town with me... He was so happy to have someone else driving... I took him to his bank, we went to my bank and then I asked him to lunch at Sizzler... I told him he would be doing me a favor, because no one in my family likes Sizzler and I crave double Malibu chicken... [Gram Pam and Nurse Pam know this huh!]
So he was all excited... I ordered my Double Malibu Chicken with salad bar and he ordered a salad bar... then he ordered coffee... and then he asked if they had 'Sanka' coffee...
WTH I haven't heard the word Sanka in years... then he changed it to diet Pepsi...

Oh boy... let me tell you... I have never seen anyone eat so much in my life! We were there for 3 hours!!! He had broccoli cheese soup, then ate the french fries off my plate, then he ate 4 plates of spaghetti with meatballs, with chicken wings... then he ate 2 bowls of ice cream... and drank 4 large glasses of Diet Pepsi! WHOA!!!

Two months ago, I would have been chanting 'patience is a virtue' in my head... but yesterday I sat back and enjoyed it all... soaking it in... grateful for the second chance...

A Marine and his son were seated next to us... when they got up to leave Manny says
"Are you a Marine?" the man says "Yes, 13 yrs now" then they start talking Marine tech talk... Manny says "What is your M something or other" the guy says "Recruiting" then Manny says "No your original M something?" the man says "artillery" Manny says "Me too"
The man says "Its all different now... kind of like a video game" "Does your son do the 30 inch walk?" they laugh, I have no idea what they are saying LOL "Where did you go to boot?" blah blah blah... then Manny has to shake his hand... and does that "Go ahead squeeze as hard as you can... not too bad for 83 huh" The man laughs... He clearly enjoyed this conversation... Manny thanks him for serving...

I just sit back and watch... Manny is having a good day... Which I realize is a blessing to see... He tells me its a great day for him "I got to go to town with a beautiful woman, and she bought me lunch! It doesn't get any better than this!!" I laugh..
He calls me 'Kid' a lot...
"You know Kid, life is short... in the blink of an eye its gone... it goes by too fast... enjoy every day!"
"Manny, maybe the other side is pretty good too yanno?"
"Ahhhh... I wanna stay here... I got things to do... the VA says I only have 2 months... I hope they are wrong... what do you think? You think I only got 2 months?"
"Nah... I think you got longer than that... look how good you eat!" he laughs
"I don't wanna go yet... I got things to do..."
"Ya? Like what? What do you want to do?" I am ready to start a 'Bucket List' LOL
the things he wants to do are all home maintenance... [stuff that would take a day to fix]
"Ok so when those things are done... you'll be ready to go then?" I tease and he laughs
He just wants to stay...
He is struggling with his mortality... he is afraid he will get so sick he can't stay in his house...
"For the first time in my life... I FEEL old..." he says reflecting
"Well, I hope the first time I feel old is when I am 83 yrs old, Manny!" he laughs "I know... I keep forgetting I am 83... my mind says I am much younger"
I know the feeling!
In my mind I am much younger and then I pass a mirror and think "OMG I am getting old!!"
"Your not old Kid! You got 40 more years... I wish I had 40 more years!"

He makes me feel young... I like that! He makes me see the flowers on the side of the road... He makes me realize everyday is a gift, no matter the struggle... He makes me enjoy life more...

I am so happy he came back from the dead to teach me about LIFE...

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's good that he is ok now. See, I told you he may not be dead. Aren't you glad he isn't? You wouldn't have had malibu chicken today otherwise. LOL

Chrissie a.k.a. HoneyB said...

This was a sweet entry. So happy that you and Manny had a great day.
Take care, Chrissie

Jeanne said...

AMAZING...what a totally amazing day in more ways than one. Sounds like Manny isn't the only one who had an awesome day. I'm so glad you got to spend time with him and I think we'll be hearing about more of these Manny days soon!!

((hugs))
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Sanka, hahahaha. I know a lady who is in her 90s and that is all she offers when you come over......

Manny came back from the dead to throw down chow. Very cute. And you are so very good to him. ~Mary

LIZ said...

This was a touching entry....how sweet of you to spend the day with him!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Emma Joanne said...

Awesome ... I enjoyed your entry ... what a great experience!

Gram Pam said...

Me too Kendra!! I'm so glad hes still here with us......we will let him die in his house, if that means I have to stay with him, I will!!What a great day you all had, and I'm so glad that you did...give him a HUG from me please....tell him I will be coming soon to see him and you of course and maybe even Santa!!! I LOVE Santa! Anyways got to go and shower, getting ready for another weekend of races....Wish Corey some good JU JU!! Take care everyone.......Love to all!!

Pamela said...

I'm so glad you guys had a good time. Sounds like the kind of conversations that I have every day. You can learn a LOT from someone in his position. Oh...and from our conversation on the phone, I'm glad that Manny had a "good day!" LOL!
XOXOX

Rachel said...

I loved it!!! Sweetest lil blog i ever read.... seriously made me tear eyed!!!

Rachel said...

I loved it!!! Made me tear eyed even!!!

Rachel said...

I loved it!!!! It even got me tear eyed...it was just a sweet lil blog!!

Rachel said...

lol sorry it wasnt working hehe thats why its posted so many...