Simply Lou

From a near death experience to a change of life, Lou Davenport talks about her struggle and now optimism for the future. Damn Near Died … Epilogue.

article by LOU DAVENPORT
illustrations by ADAM DAVENPORT

It’s hard for me to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and then Christmas will be here! I’m also staring right at age 67. I missed a couple of months of this year and I’m still trying to catch up, but that’s okay with me. I’m just glad I’m still here. Life is a precious thing, y’all. Unlike past years, I’m feeling excited about the holidays. Damn, as a matter of fact, I’m feeling excited about so many things! It’s just good to be alive. My life has really changed since they checked me into the hospital back in August “damn near dead.” I really believe if my kids had listened to me, I’d have died right there laying on my couch! I had no idea how sick I was, and I sure wasn’t thinking I was near death!

I was finally strong enough to be turned loose on September 6th,and I was mighty glad. The PT and OT staff at St. Francis had gotten me up and going, but I still had a lot more to do! So, St. Francis Home Health came to see me and they worked me over. It wasn’t long until I didn’t need a walker, even though I still walked like a really old broken down woman. Lots of work later, with their help, I’m still slow, but I can truly say, I am flying solo! Thank you Raul, Charlie, and Crystal!

As I write this, I’m on the patio of my new apartment, my “bachelorette pad.” I’m waiting for the train to come by. How I love trains! This one has gotten my imagination going, and I have been having a great time finding out more about it. I do know it’s the short line for the Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi Railroad, the “short line” just like in Monopoly. I’ve named it all kinds of names, “The Love Train,” “Freight Train,” “The Orient Express,” and “The Mystery Train.” This short line even has me wanting to paint again. Look out now!

It’s not the only thing that’s great about my new place, of course, as I’ve gotten to downsize. That is such a great experience and sure does lighten the load! I have new furniture, something I haven’t ghad in way too many years. My daughter, Carolyn, did all the decorating. It’s so good looking, it could be featured in a magazine (hint, hint)!

It’s quiet out here and everyone I’ve met seems very nice. I’m situated right in the middle of where my two daughters live. I just find myself in a great locations turn; right, I can go to Carolyn and Ty’s, turn left, I can go to Paige and Matt’s. Or go to the airport and catch a plane to go to Texas to see Adam! Walter is happy too in our new digs, and pretty soon my old senior citizen cat, Peanut, will also come join us. She doesn’t really care where she lives as long as she has food, water, and a good place to sleep. She’s nearly 11 years old, and I watched her being born. She was so small, hence her name, and I had to give her a bottle to help her make it. She’s a real survivor, and purrs so loud she just about rattles the walls!

I have to brag on my kids… Carolyn, Ty, Paige, and Matt made this move possible. Adam couldn’t be here since he’s eight hours away in Texas and had a big mural to do. Yeah, I was a little bit “miffed” at him, but I got over it. He would have been here if he could have. I think it was just an overwhelmingly emotional time for everyone, but we all stuck together, and everything’s fine. I wasn’t able to help as much as I wanted to. About all I could physically do was sit and pack boxes. I’m still not strong enough to lift much, but I am slowly getting the little things done to make this new place home. I am so thankful to just be here. I think I may have already said that, but oh, what a feeling it is! Haven’t been this happy in over 10 years, so I am not taking this second chance lightly.

During my recovery, Carolyn and Paige shared “custody” of me. I miss them, but it was time for life to get back to a “new normal,” and they have certainly kept me on the straight and narrow. I do think I am on probation! Carolyn schedules an activity for us to do once a week or more. She’s gotten me painting some and that is quite an accomplishment. Paige is determined to keep me on (slightly) good behavior too, but, I have no complaints. Bless them for taking me into their homes, in fact, I get all misty just thinking about how much they have done for me in the past few months. I knew I had great kids, but now I know I must have done something right.

I had to go have a heart stress test since I had a heart attack. I passed everything on it, and since my results were so great, they told me I didn’t have to see them again for the next six months. I just love my doctor and his staff., and they are very reassuring. So, that’s another thing I can be thankful for. I actually went there all on my own, nobody had to accompany or babysit me! God really has looked out for me, and I still can’t thank everyone enough who came to see me, sent me flowers and cards, and just everything! Two of my cousins, Cindy and Linda, brought me a gorgeous gift basket with the book, “Walter the Farting Dog” tucked in it. Guess what’s my new coffee table book?! Love is something we all need and I’ve learned this… don’t be shy! If you care about someone, say it, and say it with enthusiasm. Celebrate the little things too, like me and this train. If you can’t get excited about little things, how are you going to act when something BIG comes along?

Another cousin, Connie, says, “Everyday here on earth is just lagniappe.” I like the sound of that. I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving with my big ole crazy family. Several of us have our own tales to tell about getting sick, going through treatments that were absolutely NO fun at all, and being oh, so thankful to come out still kickin’! I think we all have guardian angels watching over us; all our aunts, uncles, grandmothers, and cousins. They were all a pretty potent group when they were alive, and it comforts me to imagine them now all watching over us as our guardian angels. Blessed can’t even begin to describe how I feel about all of them. I don’t know about any of you, but I know that my big ole fun bunch will be laughing, carrying on, and getting “loud and proud” while celebrating the upcoming holidays with all our kids and pets. My aunt Mayvonne used to call it “wildin’ off,” and we’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years. I think it is safe to say we have all earned it.

What I wish for all of you during this holiday season is hugs, smiles, and so much love that it wraps around you like a big, warm overcoat. Whatever you do…. smile! Fake it till you make it if you have to, but SMILE, and watch a train go by! These are the days of the endless summer

These are the days, the time now
There is no past, there’s only future
There’s only here, there’s only now
These are the days now that we must savor
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You’ve got to hold them in your hear

Van Morrison