Dear editor,
I recently recieved a short note and a snapshot from my father who live in Winston Salem, NC. He had enclosed a picture of a doghouse (we'll get back to that) with a note telling me that he had gotten new glasses. New glasses may not be terribly exciting to most folk; but to someone who very nearly could have lost an eye recently, new glasses are exciting indeed.
My dad had a condition called Bells Palsy 4 months prior to his recent visit to attend my cousin's wedding. Til just prior to his trip up he had not told me that his diagnosis of Shingles had been rediagnosed as Bells Palsy.
Upon his arrival my dad popped into Bilo where I work to see me. I was horrified by the appearance of his face. He truly looked like the lead to Phantom of the Opera unmasked. As in common with Bells Palsy his one side of his face looked as if he'd had a stroke. However the horrifying feature was his eye which was hanging with his entire lower lid wide open.
Because my mother has had Bells Palsy twice I knew his eye lid should have been stitched to prevent the eye from literally falling out.
First thing the next day we went to our local V.A. They could only guarantee him being seen if we drove to their Erie location. Next we inquired at the Eyecare Professional office next door. Not only did their staff squeeze him in at their office in Jamestown that day; but they had his paperwork done and he was being seen by Dr. Wuebbolt 45 minutes after our arrival. He scheduled my dad for corrective surgery the very next day. He repaired the damage to my father's eye and had him out in time for the rehearsal dinner! My father is so grateful to Dr. Wuebbolt and his staff.
Warren may seem small town in comparison to Winston-Salem; but we call a little city with a big heart. I'll take our little city over a big city any day!
Now as for the doghouse...my father had sent me the picture of the doghouse to show my son. He didn't need the doghouse. However the very next week my dad mailed me the picture, a very caring co-worker of mine and the love of her life rescued a dog who had been dumped on their property. She was just telling me that they'd be needing to get a doghouse and...well Buddy has a new family and a new doghouse.
Happy endings times two.
Sincerly,
Tracy L. Venezia
Warren