Cranes

Two of Them

The Cranes were not in the same state when the mess with the move happened. But when they returned to their home, they drove the long distance to pick me up and take me to their home for the weekend.

Seeing their familiar faces from my childhood, helped take away the disillusionment and intense sadness I felt about the unfortunate events with the move. They also soothed my ‘all alone in a strange place’ feelings. And since I knew them from my childhood days, they jogged more memories for me.

Mrs. Crane would check on me often and always brought something she cooked, baked, or hard-to-get-fruits, for me to enjoy.

Every single time she came my way I got something.

There were many times The Cranes would travel the long distance to pick me up and take me back to their home.

On other occasions, The Cranes would pick me up to take me sightseeing so I could become familiar with my new hometown. And when My Father arrived, they continued the sightseeing adventures with both of us.

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For those solo months during the Pandemic of 2020, The Cranes made certain to call or text and included me in Zoom-Birthday parties.

I was very worried about them coming for me during the Pandemic because of the large number of deaths in my area. I told them not to come and I would be okay on my own. I encouraged no one to come to get me because I was in a high-infection area, and I did not mind being alone.

I would often say,

“Everyone stay where you are.”

I wanted everyone to remain alive. Early 2020, I had already lost 2 of my former co-workers and had already attended a dreaded Zoom funeral.

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On my first birthday there and still alone, The Cranes showed up at my apartment with a handful of balloons and bags of other things, including homemade cake. I was in my glee.

Mrs. Crane was also the reason I had a small, varied garden which My Father called ‘the forest’ and would complain about the thick vegetation invading his outdoor seating place and having to compete for sunlight.

I knew whenever My Father started to complain about ‘the forest’, it was time for a major cutting session and layout change. My Father was guilty of offering a plant to absolutely anyone who happened to visit. He also threatened to deposit the plants on the roadside somewhere.

I have received so many lovely plants from Mrs. Crane. Beautiful plants, giving beautiful flowers and regularly offering lots and lots of offspring. I have given away some of the offspring, to reduce space-encroachment issues and to hopefully brighten someone’s life.

I have gone to events with Mrs. Crane, met lovely people, thoroughly enjoyed myself and gained more friends.

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To this day, The Cranes’ home translates to ‘going home’ and where I have enjoyed some good Christmases.

Eventually, My Father and I would leave that distant area and move closer to The Cranes. And to this day we both get homemade-something to enjoy from The Cranes.