September 5, 2014 Friday "Sweet Melissa"

First Words

      …thoughts of an anachronistic, solo pediatrician

                    by Glenn Feole, M.D.

        "Be careful too that the reading of your story makes the melancholy 

        laugh and the merry laugh louder," Cervantes, Prologue to Don Quixote

Contact: ishmaelish36@gmail.com

Blog site: ishmaelish36.blogspot.com

September 5, 2014 Friday

Interesting Name:

  Alaska

Anecdote:

     The world does belong to the humble, I thought, as I stood before her in the exam room.  Fairfield County had its disproportionate share of nannies, and in a few rare instances I seemed to know the nanny much better than the actual Mother.   

But this was different.  This particular nanny was special.  She was seventy-seven years old, frail, immaculately dressed in a long coat and very soft-spoken.  Her eyes seemed to radiate kindness and acceptance.  She explained to me that she had had no children of her own but “loved” all the many children she had taken care of.  She was with the newborn and Mother this morning and was doting over the baby.  

As we finished, the Mother said, “Go ahead and show Dr. Feole the letter.”  She slowly pulled a worn manila envelope out of her coat pocket and gingerly slipped out an envelope and some pictures.  The elegant light purple envelope had a striking white lettered address.  Inside was a note addressed to the Nanny that said, 

“Dear Joyce, 

President Kennedy would be thrilled to know that you are taking such good care of his first grandson.  Thank you so much.”  

Fondly,

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  

She also had a picture of herself with Caroline Kennedy and her family and also a separate picture of her with John Kennedy, Jr.  This, of course, got "oohs" and "ah’s" from the nurses as the Mother commented on “His Hunkness.” 

She very carefully put the letter and pictures away, treasures to her and a wonderful memento both to her gentle care and to Jacqueline Kennedy’s compassion in writing her such a caring note.  The nanny smiled …and then turned her full attention to the baby before her.

          Westport, Connecticut  1990's

Favorite Musician/song:

The Allman Brothers, "Sweet Melissa"

    One of my daughters just sent this song to me as part of a "Dad Mix" that she periodically sends me…a gift more precious than gold to me.  The songs so often sustain and motivate me musically and creatively.  
     This song brings me back to sweet memories of innocence and youth…the age of being in my twenties, pursuing my music and philosophy, with the anticipation of my future…  A love song of great beauty and poignancy.
   

    

Favorite Movie/DVD:

Paperclips

     A very touching documentary of children in an elementary school who decide to collect paper clips as a remembrance of the Holocost.  Compassionate and poignant.