“Pretty Good for an Old Fossil!”

By Marie Louise-Meyers

From Native American roots and Foreign nations, Dad beat continuance into our brains, while Mother’s mind so agile at times, skipped over the obvious ties, a waste-land if not duty-bound to survive. To validate our lives came as no surprise each day, only to gain mastery over not who but time, fulfilling our roles became our divine instrument for Dad never left anyone behind. His hands encompassed the world for me, no neglect of intellect with storied heights on book shelves.

From his shoulders I grew bolder, from babe to bard, to think things over, he set my world on fire, his aspirations became my desires. A Rock of Ages cleft for me, he never disappointed even into his nineties when his gaps were made whole by his incomparable Soul.

When anyone asked how he was, he responded: “Pretty good for an Old Fossil!”

On the day he entered Ruston Center, (Jenner’s Pond) he was again the orator of old, gleaned so much from humanity, rage whenever anyone put down the infirm and aged. Having debated on a student team with the likes of Norman Thomas, (the great Socialist) his eyes lit up, he steadied his gait and recited “Gunga Din” from start to finish to an astonishing crowd of on-lookers, nurses and aids, he remained undiminished by time and place. Though you belted and flayed him, by the living Gaud that made him, you’re a better man than I am Gunga Din.