ESL Blogs

My mother recently passed away, after nearly a year of getting worse, recovering, and getting worse again. Her life had not been much of a life since Dad had died. But that last year was really tough on her. It was no fun for Marge without George. No one to live with, no one to fight with, no one to laugh with, no one to love. She had us, of course, but it just wasn't the same for her without Dad. We understood.

While in the hospital, Mom suddenly took a dramatic turn for the worse. My sister, Betsy, was notfied, and left work to go straight to the hospital. Her husband, Andy, got a hieroglyphic message, tried to reach Betsy at home, was unsuccessful, and decided to call the hospital directly. Andy knew that Mom was on the 7th floor. He tried to remember her room number. 7226? 7627? 7662? He decided to call the switched board and have the hospital operator connect him. He asked for Marge Mueth --"M-U-E-T-H," he spelled it out.

"She's in room 3643," was the surprising response. "I'll connect you." Andy couldn't understand why Mom might have been moved. A man answered the phone. Andy, not recognizing the voice, was now thoroughly confused and decided he must have the wrong room after all. "Sorry," he said, "I must have the wrong room. I'm looking for the Mueth family."

The man's voice answered, "you've got 'em. This is George." Andy was completely unnerved but kept on. "No, really, I think I've got the wrong room, I'm looking for Marge Mueth." The man's voice sounded lighthearted and cheerful. "That's my wife. I'm here to pick her up."

In Andy's astonishment he hung up, called the operator again and asked for a Marge Mueth on the 7th floor. He was then connected with room 7226, and Betsy answered the phone when it rang in Mom's room.

My sister's son, Billy, summed up the situation with the simplicity and profundity that only children possess, saying "Grandpa is here to take Grandma home." Betsy just cried and wondered out loud what had taken "Grandpa" so long.