Looking back at a time when we were all healthy...a time when we thought we would live forever...
Chasing Memories
The American Medical Association defines Parkinson Disease as a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, that affects muscle control.
Recently I traveled to Oroville Washington to visit a long lost friend who is living with Parkinson Disease. The years had stretched to 35 since I last saw him. His name is Roger Llewellyn. We both played for a semipro ball club in Miamisburg Ohio. I roamed third base and Roger was our second baseman. Together we made up a better than average double play combination. Many times I looked over at him and thought he looked and played so much like Pete Rose. Roger was also a better than average tennis player. In 1963 and 1964 he was smashing forehands deep to the baseline and returning backhands with precision accuracy for the University of Cincinnati. His dad, Lee Llewellyn could have bowled professionally if he had chose to do so. Roger followed in his dads footsteps.
He lives on a huge lake just outside of Oroville Washington. He once owned an apple orchard when times were better and his health had not yet failed him. I drove around the circular drive where he was waiting. He smiled and drove his motorized wheelchair to the edge of the driveway. The last time I saw Roger he was running like the wind stretching a soft single into a solid double. When the dust cleared he was smiling and pointing to the sky. Today I saw an old friend subdued by Parkinson Disease. His speech and movements was labored but I could see in his eyes the youth that once lived there. Later in the day we went to a local restaurant and relived memories that had been so long forgotten. I noticed my friend having trouble eating so I helped him. He looked at me and smiled. Later that night I sat alone in the living room unable to watch TV. I cried as I looked back at memories and saw a young man so full of life.
Days passed and time for leaving came. He followed me to my car and smiled. We both knew that our reunion had gone to fast. “Please come back “he said. I nodded and as I pulled away I saw him wipe tears from his eyes.
When I returned to Hattiesburg I immediately sent him an email thanking him for helping me chase memories. I closed with a question…”would you like to go fishing with me?” I plan to return to my old friend and take him fishing. I can’t let another 35 years pass.
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Reviewed by Linda Trujillo
5/3/2009
This was a sweet story. I enjoyed reading it too. You are so kind Fred.
Linda Trigg Trujillo
Reviewed by 000 000
1/10/2009
You sound as though you are a great friend...and your stories of memories are full of compassion and love.
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