Thursday, January 24, 2008

Aloha.....


I had a patient- Gary.....a long time ago....In Seattle...I used to go see him every Thursday....and we used to go sit in his car. He had a 1952 Buick. It was a thing of beauty, it would take your breath away. It looked like the car in this painting. Shiny royal blue and soft white leatherette. The Front Seat was a Sofa of comfort. We would do his vitals and the Blood Draw, and talk about his Disease, and then if it was a rainey gloomy day we would go to his garage, and he would turn on the Lights and the Music and we would sit in his car. The Back wall of the Garage was a beautiful Mural of the California Coast....of a Beach that was surfers dream....And then he would pick music to play on his bitching Sound system. That Garage was like something out of a movie. The Car itself was Heaven. Sometimes it was Surf Music, and sometimes The Boss, and sometimes Old Beach Boys.

We would sit and talk about Things, mostly I listened. I listened to his Broken Dreams, and What AIDS did to his life. His Traveling Days were over, and the Car was his escape, even for just a few minutes. His vision was fuzzy like a "Monet "Painting he would say. Hie Beautiful blue eyes did not reveal the Retinitis that had eaten his vision. But I also listened to his stories of his past, being a lawyer, his love of art, how he wanted me to tell his mom what was Wrong with him, would I look after his young lover when he was gone..... And when I would leave he would always stand in the door and say "Aloha" with a wave and a smile.

" Life is a Fine Ride. Share it with people, don't ever let it be lonely."

I arrived one Thursday, a cold wet January Day, and he was not there. So I went to the Hospital, and I stood in hall with the bag of Fresh Ginger Snaps and stared at his empty bed. He had died that morning....After coming the night before for breathing troubles.

" I don't like Goodbyes. They make me Cry". He had said. IT was why he always said Aloha.

He had bought the car, The Beauty, and restored it. It was made the year he was born. When he died he tried to Leave It to Me. "The Bessie". I gave it to his Lover, I could not keep such a Piece of Heaven......

**{{ CLick the Title : The Boss + Born to Run}}**

10 comments:

Leslie: said...

What a touching tribute to your friend and how perfect that you gave the car to his lover. Such a sad end, but wonderful that he trusted you enough to tell you his life story.

tip: $2 Cdn not worth much anymore

enigma4ever said...

Leslie:
Every now and then I write little tributes....to patients....and friends....

His lover had painted the Mural and put in the Sound System so I knew that that car was also his Heaven....

It's funny how memories can warm your heart on a cold day....

No said...

Thanks for taking me away to something beautiful for a few mintues; thanks, Engima.

enigma4ever said...

NO:
you are welcome.....
you know you can always come here and take a break...

WeezieLou said...

how touching, how beautiful, how eloquent....

Cartledge said...

The best memories/inspiration come out of the hardest experiences. The best people are the ones who care without judgments.

enigma4ever said...

Cartledge....
I was so lucky...have been so lucky....I have met so many wonderful people and been able to share parts of their lives....

Weezie:
thank you....

No said...

How ironic that you should post this good-bye; my cousin died of cancer this evening after a long fought battle of 8 years; I wish to say aloha to her as well....

enigma4ever said...

No:
my condolences to you and it sounds like your cousin did have a long battle...we too will send her many alohas...

namaste.

No said...

Thanks so much, Enigma.