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Abundance of friends kept my grandfather smiling
Grandfather was an auctioneer in Reading, Pa., a mediumsized city about 60 miles west of Philadelphia. His office was in the busy downtown, in the days when people walked everywhere or took a trolley. It was a good place to stop, because it was right across the street from the biggest vaudeville theater in town. After I visited him and the office staff, he was always ready to give me money to go see the show. In Reading, the show usually consisted of animal acts, comedians and dancers. Of course, I felt sure that they didn't compare with the 'big city' acts we saw in Philadelphia, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Afterward, I would go back to the office and get a ride home in Grandfather's old Nash, which I was also sure didn't compare to my own father's fancier Buick, but - thank heavens - I was smart enough even at 12 years old not to say so. But I was very impressed as we went down the main street when, every block or so, there was a traffic cop - not traffic signals, but real men directing the flow of traffic, and they all knew my Grandfather. At every stop it was "Hey, Jake" or "Hi ya, Bill, how's the wife's cold today? " Maybe Grandfather didn't have a Buick, but, as he often told me, "I have as many friends as the leaves on that tree!" No wonder he was always smiling.
Do you know the signs of a stroke? Knowing them can make the difference between recovery and permanent disability. Here are a few you should know: Trouble speaking or understanding. Dizziness and or loss of balance. Vision problems such as double vision, or severe headaches. Sudden, unexplained weakness in a limb or overall. If you experience any of these symptoms, remember the old saying "time is of the essence." Take three aspirin, if you are not allergic to it, and seek medical attention immediately, either by going to the emergency room or calling 911. See you next week! |
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