Gram’s story-Episode 4

Laura Devane was back at the Bellaire Senior Center for her weekly yoga class. She wryly considered the coffee break her personal grilling by class members about her previous life in New Mexico before returning to Virginia. She didn’t mind the frank curiosity, because it gave her an opportunity to review her life decisions and what they had meant to her as a young woman. The reflections, however, brought up some intense memories that she had managed to resolve or bury over many years.  What would her friends be curious about today? She hadn’t planned an agenda except for the movements of her gentle seated yoga class.

As Laura entered the center today, she was greeted by Sally Diggins, the Senior Center Director. Laura liked the young, competent woman who organized enjoyable activities for her clients using a very limited budget and a lot of imagination and persuasion of the city administrators. 

“Welcome, Laura.  It’s good to have you back! As always, your audience is ready for a workout and a ‘story time’ as they call it.”

“It’s nice to be awaited.  These folks are delightful! And they make me think about why I’ve lived my life the way I have. Free therapy,” Laura said with a smile.

“You are a great role model, Laura. I hope I will remain as healthy and active as you are throughout my life,” Sally said as she turned to answer her office phone.

Laura fluidly moved down the hallway to the exercise room. The deep mauve color of her silky yoga top and pants provided a striking contrast to her braided silver hair.

Inhaling deeply as she entered the room, Laura was greeted with cheery hellos from the group taking their seats on the semi-circle of chairs. As classes previously, gray yoga blocks were placed at each seat for those who needed or desired to use them.

“Good morning, my friends,” Laura called out as she eyed each member, quietly assessing their comfort levels for the morning. “As the days are beginning to remain a bit darker in the mornings, I would like to start off with some yogic wake-up breaths and movements to gently get your bodies ready for the day.”

“We don’t have to give up our coffee break if you wake us up, do we?” Eugene called out.

As intended, the group laughed, and Laura responded, “I think we’ll still have room for coffee when we finish… unless, of course, you’re too jazzed by then to have some,” as she raised a questioning eyebrow.

There was a resounding “No!” And Shirley loudly retorted, “We’ll still need our story time!”

The group snickered and Laura began a routine of gentle neck, arm and chest stretches coupled with deep inhales and exhales. Iona smiled a relieved smile as she stretched her neck and arms, while Lorraine groaned slightly as she rounded her back with the slow breaths Laura modeled and directed.

Shirley called out, asking if the group could practice alternate nostril breathing to help relieve her stuffy nose, she attributed to an increase in environmental allergies. The group followed along, and Laura snatched a nearby box of tissues to pass to those whose nasal congestion seemed to clear quickly. This was followed by more laughter and a few “thank-yous” for the effort.

Movements increased gently in rhythm and intensity, then slowed gradually, followed by a meditative, restful “savasana,” as Laura reminded members to thank their bodies for their morning efforts.

The calm stillness of the room was suddenly broken as chairs scraped the floor and the group rose and talked as they proceeded to the kitchenette.

Lorraine began to set up a selection of homemade cookies she had made for the group, and members looked on with interest as she brought out paper plates and napkins, while Bill and Peggy began to serve coffee.  More chair scraping and rearranging ensued as the group found comfortable seating that allowed them to view Laura, in hopes that she had an interesting episode to her personal story today.

As the group settled with their coffee and passed around cookies, commenting on their variety and lusciousness, Shirley asked Laura, “What are you going to tell us about today?”

“I didn’t have a particular plan. What would you like to know about?”

“Tell us about your daughter and what made you decide to return East.” 

The group visibly settled in.

“Ah, well, this might take more time than we have today, but I’ll start. Taking a slow, deep breath, Laura began her tale. “In the few years after our marriage, Sam had become a popular painter on the West Coast. He had a few gallery owners from California and Colorado who had bought some of his paintings and sold them in their galleries in San Francisco, San Diego, and Boulder. His successful showing in San Francisco led to a gallery in New York contacting him to schedule a showing in New York in the next year.

Sam used his contacts in New Mexico and Arizona to introduce some of my paintings and textiles. I was showing some of my work in some southwestern galleries, including interest from a gallery owner in Dallas.” 

“What a talented couple you were,” Iona reflected.

“Our lives were busy and satisfying. We had Julia and I was able to take her to much of my work. We were accepted as a family, which gave her a great start in the world, being cared for by a welcoming, cross-cultural group of clients. My good friend, Sarah, helped me when I couldn’t take Julia with me, and I pet sat for her when she traveled. I think that start in life probably influenced Julia to be such a caring, patient, special education teacher.

“We had a comfortable little house outside of Santa Fe that was filled with our paintings and artwork by friends who had given their work as gifts.”

“It sounds like you had a community of friends who cared about you and shared similar interests,” Peggy said.

“We did. Sam’s teaching, his curiosity, as well as his vibrant personality drew people in. It was a time in life when we all supported one another as we had new families and were developing our work. We were very fortunate.”

“You credit Sam with your comfort level, but I think you must have had a lot to offer your community group too, Laura,” Lorraine said.

“You’re right. I idealize Sam because I was so smitten by him. But I learned from my parents to be involved and engaged in our small town in Virginia and to try to help neighbors as much as we could. That was a nice life at home, too.”

“Why did you end up leaving New Mexico?” Bill asked.

“Sam died suddenly in a motorcycle accident. Julia and I stayed on for about a year after that and then I decided I wanted to be closer to my parents.”

There was a collective murmur of sighs and condolences from the group.

“Do you feel comfortable talking about that? You two were so in love. That must have been a terrible time,” Iona’s eyes teared as she asked.

“It’s okay. Julia was little and had developed a cough and fever. Santa Fe is known for its temperate climate, but it was December, and it can get quite cold and occasionally icy. It was getting late in the day and growing colder, and I didn’t have any medicine for Julia. I was worried about her and Sam wanted to drive into town before the pharmacy closed. I didn’t want to take Julia out in the cold, so we stayed at home while Sam took off on his motorcycle. He just had on a knit hat, jacket and gloves. The motorcycle helmet laws were just for kids under 18.” Laura shook her head slowly, “It seemed we were waiting endlessly, and it had begun to snow lightly and grow colder as it got later in the day. 

“Finally, a New Mexico State Trooper arrived at the house about 6:00 pm, looking very uncomfortable. He informed me Sam had been run off the road going into Santa Fe by a trucker who had begun to slide on black ice. Sam had quickly slowed to avoid the oncoming truck approaching in his lane, skidded and wrecked into the guard rail. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

“Our beautiful life shattered…Somehow, Julia and I survived the next few weeks’ arrangements: Sam’s cremation, ceremony and spreading of his ashes at his favorite spots; a painful, sullen visit from his parents; and a comforting visit from mine. I was surprised at how much my parents had aged in the few years since our marriage. I hated for them to leave, and I began to consider moving back East to be near them so Julia could know them better. 

“It took me a few months to crawl out from the despair, using yoga and tai chi to survive each day. I continued to work with clients and began to organize our artwork and contract with galleries. It was therapeutic to work, but my creativity was stifled. I began to explore possibilities for work and housing in Virginia.”  With a long sigh, Laura continued, “That’s about all I can cover today.” The effort of telling her story had temporarily exhausted Laura.

“Next time, I’ll tell you my unsettling story of driving across country with Julia and our new friend!”

Shirley approached Laura, lightly squeezing her arm, “You are a strong woman, Laura.”  

“We’re so glad you decided to share your life with us. Thank you,” Peggy said, as she briefly held Laura’s hand.

Lorraine didn’t say a word, simply reaching out and giving Laura a warm hug.

Bill and Eugene, looking serious and uncomfortable, waved as they cleared the table.

“I’ll see you next week, folks.” Laura said as she left the center. She silently thanked the Universe for all the blessings she had received in her lifetime, including the short, wondrous time she had shared with Sam. She silently thanked her curious friends for prompting her to review her life and the decisions that brought her there today.

An Update

 Another book title has been replaced. I’ve been struggling to develop a book title that calls to the readers for whom I’ve written my non-fiction book. The title including respite for caregivers seemed to specifically target medical caregivers rather than busy people who are caring for jobs, homes, families, pets, and various and sundry others. I want to include those who don’t have the time, leisure, or resources often to plan extended vacations or spa breaks. Considering that burnout and self-care seem to be the key aspects I emphasize, I’ve changed the title to Move Beyond Burnout: Self-Care for Those Who Never Stop Giving. Hopefully, I’ll have a cover soon and can begin the publishing process.

I ‘ve completed arrangements for my book signing on October 4, 2025, from 11 am-2:00 pm at Main Street Books, Frostburg MD. This will feature my novel, released in May, Disappearance at Sycamore Grove: A Journey of Courage, Forgiveness, and Acceptance. Please join me if you’re in the area!

Calli has been enjoying greeting elementary students walking to school in the morning and wants to send you a "Happy Autumn"greeting.

Take care, my friends,

Suanne