As I get older, I find the curve balls life throws me are more upsetting. When my grandchildren were growing up, they played all sports, one is still playing football. They were thrown curve balls in each game. Something did not go along with the planned play. They would become upset. Life throws us curve balls each day. We have to learn to accept them and go. It is hard.
Friday was one of those curveball days. We have family and friends in Scotland. I will admit I love the country and the people who live there. We have visited and made enduring friends. One of those friends passed away Friday. I\’d like to share a little of her story.
Dorothy Johnson passed away in her sleep Friday morning. My niece said she had a smile on her face when she died. I think I know why. She went to a better place. A place where she can walk and talk and be in no more pain. Dot was a trooper, and I loved her attitude on life.
You see, Dot came into this world with a lot of disabilities. She could not walk or talk, but she could smile. Dot had the brightest smile I have ever seen. If you can imagine not being able to move past your neck, then you know what Dot went through. Even though she had so many problems, she had the brightest outlook on life I have ever seen.
I think it was 2005 when Dot came to my house. It might have been 2006, but I don\’t remember exactly. I do remember her coming. She had to have two caregivers to come to America. One happened to be my niece, Arlene Galloway. There were three places Dot wanted to see while in America, Graceland, Dollywood, and my house. This one visit started something with Dot and my family. We later visited Scotland, and Dot had to have us come for tea. She wanted to show me her flat. This excited Dot so much, and we enjoyed our visit with her. Then in 2019, my daughter, granddaughter, and myself went back to Scotland. Again, Dot wanted us to come to visit, and we did. She was a gracious hostess.
Dot never complained, and I know she had much pain. She smiled and made you feel welcome. When Arlene let me know she had passed, I thought Dot could walk now. She\’d never walked. She is in Paradise now walking and talking with all of her friends who went before her. I miss her, and I will always remember her smile.
One thing Dot taught me is to look at what I have and remember there are others in worse condition than I am. I can smile because of Dot. When I see the Scottish thistle, I will remember Dot.
Kathy Cretsinger
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