Deep Down South 23

Deep Down South 23

Patricia Rae Wesley was the most perfect baby in the world. When she arrived to her new nursery she slept soundly. Since it was on the second floor Billy Ray and Tabitha had a baby monitor installed for when they were not near. Tabitha decided when Patricia was a few months older they would have a small portable crib or play pen they would push from room to room downstairs.

They certainly would never need baby sitters. Gran'ma and Gran'pa along with a half dozen sitters were always on hand.

James was the best. He had already started reading to Patricia Rae. He found a box of children's books tucked away in the nursery on the top shelf. His beloved Patricia had purchased the books for their baby. He felt that his Patricia was right there listening.

“Now Patricia Rae when you learn to speak your first words will probably be Ma Ma and Da Da. I will teach you a little poem and the melody. You are going to grow up loving reading. Your Ma Ma and Da Da both read. Let's start with Over in the Meadow.”

Over in the meadow

In a pond in the sun

Lived an old mother duck

And her little duck one

"Quack!" said the mother

"Quack!" said the one

And they quacked and were happy

In the pond in the sun

Over in the meadow

In a stream so blue

Lived an old mother fish

And her little fish two

"Bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop!" said the mother

"Bloop, bloop!" said the two

And they swam and were happy

In the stream so blue

Over in the meadow

In a nest in the tree

Lived an old mother bird

And her birdies three

"Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet!" said the mother

"Tweet, tweet, tweet!" said the three

And they sang and were happy

In the nest in the tree

Over in the meadow

On a rock by the shore

Lived and old mother frog

And her little frogs four

"Ribbit!" said the mother

"Ribbit, ribbit,…

James finished the poem and was called downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast.

“Babies smile in their sleep because they’re listening to the whispering of angels.” he said to the crew at the table.

Over the months that followed James read a poem a day to little Patricia plus Over in the meadow.

Tabitha and Billy of course talked to Patricia. They finally brought her downstairs in her little crib or play pen every day. Gran'ma or Gran'pa were always there when Tabitha was not at home. Now that she was a mother of an infant she switched her job at the hospital to being a consultant to shut in elders over her lap top screen. A nurse practitioner would be at the elders home visiting or doing light chores. When he or she were finished they would turn on the lap top for a talk with Tabitha. That talk would be for one hour. Tabitha would ask them a few questions about how they were doing, feeling and general well being. The elders always enjoyed seeing Patricia Ray propped up in her baby seat or sleeping in her crib. They were always cheered by seeing this tiny infant growing. These taped interviews were then passed on to the doctors.

Tabitha was pleased when she was asked if she would enjoy this sort of nursing for a few years.

She happily agreed to continue this type of nursing and be paid.

Gran'ma told her she should keep her notes, eliminating patient names, and write a book or even a text book. “ I know you're super busy with Patricia and helping around the house and garden but I really think Gran'ma is right about at least writing a book. Even if it is not a text book it would be wonderful for adult children to know a way to deal with their elders. Go for it Honey. You rock and you roll. You can do anything. Nothing is impossible!” said Billy.

One afternoon Tabitha, Gran'ma, Patricia and James were in the rose garden. Billy had set up a camera with Gran'ma only knowing it was recording. Today Tabitha was focusing on James' Patricia.

Baby Patricia was now nine months old and sitting on Gran'ma's lap watching everyone.

“James from the pictures you showed me of your Patricia's rose bed she had all roses except for these green plants in the four corners. In the pictures I could not identify the plant. I even had it blown up. The lady at the print shop told me her Grannie had the exact flowers in her rose bed corners. Right there in the shop she called her Grannie and asked if we could walk over as it was a very short walk. Patricia on my back all settled in and I went to see this Grannie. In her garden were these flowers in the picture. I have planted them in your garden. What do you think? Were these the same ones your Patricia had in her garden?” asked Tabitha.

“Why yes this is the exact plant.” said James.

Patricia waved her stuffed bear and squealed

“Gar-lic.”

©Julia A Knaake