FIVE MINUTES WITH THE DELIGHTFUL MRS. V
By Andy Weddington
Tuesday, 22 April 2025
To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift. - Steve Prefontaine
Time: 4:15:13
A niece's first Boston marathon yesterday.
Bib number, in order save extra digit, the street address of my and her mom's childhood home; in a town that begins with B. Lottery odds better.
If memory correct, bettering her effort completing first - the last Marine Corps marathon.
Family and friends cheered along routes.
And from homes scattered coast-to-coast. [Thanks to technology, tracked real time.]
And ...
nephew, not in Boston, celebrated year 40. [When a boy his sisters had nicknames but he did not. He asked me for a nickname. How about "Fast Eddie"? He smiled. So during the few days summer leave visit, he was Fast Eddie. About to depart, my brother, too a Marine (and Sailor), "Andy, I don't think I want my son showing up in first grade with the nickname Fast Eddie." We laughed. But good point. I still address him in birthday cards as Fast Eddie.]
So the marathoner and birthday celebrant on mind during this morning's walk.
Until, that is, a woman about 25 feet to forward port distracted focus.
Pushing rollator along sidewalk she stopped and was talking that appeared to be directed at me.
I approached.
She, having spotted my t-shirt, said, "USMC - so you're a Marine?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I have a son who is a Marine."
"So, you're a Marine mom!"
Beaming, "Yes, I am. And I have a son who served in the Army. Raymond and Randy - served on Okinawa at the same time. I have another son, Richard, not a veteran."
I asked for family surname that actually sounded familiar.
She told me birthday 92 is soon and she still lives on her own.
She shared story of some five years ago taking in a struggling granddaughter (drugs) who will graduate in a month or so with a Masters from a local prestigious state university.
"Well, you did a great job! You turned her life around."
"So far so good. We can just do our best. And hope," said Mrs. V.
"Well, she's sure fortunate to have you as grandmother. I sure hope she appreciates the gift you've given her."
"She's the daughter I wanted but did not have," smiled, Mrs. V.
Still driving she told of being rear ended recently by a young mother distracted by child.
"This rollator is because of lingering vertigo. I don't like it but have to exercise. I cannot give up. Never. I'm doing the best I can."
"That's the spirit! It's all any of us can do. Just do your best."
Mrs. V of slight build, short gray hair, clear eyes, thoughtful, articulate, and determined readied to move along.
We bid farewell; lot covered in five minutes.
Stranger no more.
I returned to thinking about my niece and nephew - KP and Fast Eddie.
Damn, I should have asked Mrs. V. if she'd ever run a marathon.
With Marine and Army sons and out pushing a rollator, briskly, at 92 a safe bet.
Fast Eddie? Not a marathoner.
In closing ...
Yesterday was the 129th Boston marathon. A Marine pal's wife ran for the 8th time. And I read about a guy who ran his 27th - consecutive. Me? Defer to Calvin Coolidge, "I do not choose to run."
"Bravo! KP, way to go!, love UA"
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