As Mother continued to tell me about herself and the others involved in Project Truth or Consequences, I became riveted. I let her speak uninterrupted, and she was right. Many of my questions were being answered and things began to make more sense. I listened intently as she went on.

“The Phin’s were in London for a summer workshop, but their home was actually here in Seattle. You’ll remember from the portfolio I gave you that Akin and Goro are medical interpreters. They work with doctors and other medical staff in various hospitals that need help communicating with patients whose primary language is Vietnamese or Chinese. The Phins speak both languages fluently, but English is their primary language. In addition, they are both Emergency Medical Technicians. You can easily understand why their skills are highly valued and greatly needed.”

Mother stopped talking long enough for the nurse to give her a sip of water. She seemed to be somewhat energized by telling me all of this, so we let her continue.

“About two years after I came with the Phin’s to Seattle, they found themselves in the middle of a nightmare. An elderly lady was brought to the hospital by ambulance. She spoke Chinese only. She was quite ill, but the Phin’s were able to get enough information from her to help the doctors make a diagnosis. She explained she woke up one day with a general feeling of weakness. The next day she had difficulty getting dressed. The weakness continued to worsen until she could barely summon the strength to get out of bed. Her neighbor found her on the floor. She was conscious, but very confused. It was the neighbor who called the ambulance. When asked, the neighbor said she didn’t know of any family members the hospital could notify. It was only after the poor woman died that it was discovered the reason for her illness and death was carbon monoxide poisening. An investigation uncovered that the poisening was not an accident. The Phins were made to feel responsible for not getting more accurate and substantive information from the patient which resulted in an incorrect diagnosis of a stroke. That’s where Jack came in.”

Jack walked over to the bed and took Mother’s hand. “I think you should rest, Claire. I know you want Kat to know everything as quickly as possible and she will, but neither of us want you to push yourself to the point of exhaustion. I think we should all take a break and have some dinner, and then, if you’ll agree, I will tell Kat the remainder of the Phin’s story later tonight.”

I could see Mother squeeze Jack’s hand. She nodded her head and when she spoke, she sounded tired, “All right Jack, but promise me you will come back to my room tomorrow morning. We can’t lose much more time.”

Doris served us a delicious dinner in the dining room. It had been an incredible, but long day and we were exhausted. At the risk of angering Mother, we decided to meet early for coffee in the garden. Doris said it was beautiful and there were several quiet places for us to sit and have a private conversation.

I was planning to spend some time in my room recapping what I had learned, but instead I practically fell into bed and immediately went to sleep.

I woke up early the next morning and after taking a quick shower, I went down to the kitchen to get some coffee. Doris wasn’t around, but I found everything I needed including fresh cream. As the coffee was brewing, I noticed the window above the kitchen sink was open and there was a soft breeze filling the room with scents from the garden. I got up and walked closer to the window. I thought I heard voices coming from outside. Yes…it was Doris and Jack, and they were discussing me.

“I don’t know if we should be involving Kat to the extent we are, Doris. We’re taking an extreme risk, here. What if she doesn’t believe in our cause. We could be risking all of the sweat and tears we have put into this project all because at this stage in her life, Claire wants to atone for what she perceives as wronging her daughter.”

“I agree, Jack. It’s a lot for Kat to take in. It seems impossible to explain all that’s happened to so many. Each person involved in the project has had a personal experience and offers certain skills to enhance what we’re doing. How do you intend to handle this? You promised Claire you would continue with the Phin’s story before going to her room this morning.”

I was concentrating so intently on Doris and Jack’s conversation, I didn’t hear the nurse enter the kitchen. “I’m afraid I have bad news,” she said. “Your mother passed away without warning…just moments ago.”

It was a beautiful afternoon and I found myself enjoying the flight to Seattle. Since Jack was piloting the airplane, there was no opportunity to have the conversation I had hoped for. I tried to gather my own thoughts, but I only came up with more questions. I needed some answers soon, or I was going to explode.

As was promised, when we landed in Seattle, there was a car waiting for us. The driver said it would be a two hour drive to our destination.

Once we were settled in for the ride, Jack tried the small talk route, but he knew I wasn’t having it.

“I know you’re hoping I will give you the answers to all of your questions, Kat, but I would rather give Claire the opportunity to explain everything. We’ll soon know if she’s capable of doing that.”

“That’s fine, Jack, but don’t worry. My mother wouldn’t dare die on me now that she has dragged me back into her life after deserting me for thirty years. I would like you to answer one question. Why would she come all the way to Seattle when there are plenty of great hospitals and doctors in Boston?”

“Claire lived in Seattle most of those thirty years you didn’t see her. All of her doctors are here. She still owns a home in the area. In fact, it looks like that could be where the driver is taking us.”

It seemed like forever before the driver finally pulled up to a beautiful country home.

Two very friendly dogs came running to greet us. An older woman wearing a house dress and apron, opened the door.

“Hello, Jack. It’s so good to see you…and you must be Kathleen. Please come in. The doctor is with Claire, so you’ll have a few minutes to freshen up before you see her. Can I offer you something to drink? Dinner will be served at eight.”

“Kat, this is Doris. She’s a dear friend of your mother’s.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Doris,” I said as I offered her my hand. “And please do call me, Kat.”

“In addition to taking care of things around here, Doris has been a good friend to your mother for years.” (I wonder how Stella feels about that, I thought.)

Doris showed us to our rooms and later brought me some tea.

“I’ll be back in thirty minutes to take you to your mother,” she said.

I was too anxious to wait in my room and drink tea, so I asked Doris if I could wait in the living room.

“I have a better idea, she said. “Why don’t you come with me to the kitchen?” Doris was such a pleasant lady. I immediately felt comfortable with her.

Soon the doctor, followed by Jack, came into the kitchen. The doctor said it was okay for us to go see my mother, but that she would tire easily. “The nurse is with her, so she’ll keep and eye on her,” he said. “It was very nice to meet you both. Now… I must be on my way.”

“Jack,” Doris said . “You go ahead and take Kat up to Claire’s room. I’ll see Dr. Miller out.”

When we first walked into the room, I was struck by how small my mother looked lying there. “Hello Mother,” I said. “I hope you’re up to talking with us.”

“Thank you dear, but there is a lot I need to tell you. Please allow me to do that. It will answer so many of your questions.”

When I nodded, Mother began to tell me about her life, her struggles, and how Project Truth or Consequences came to be. It was a concept that developed over many years, but the seed was sewn when on a trip to London, my mother was brutally attacked and left for dead in a London hotel parking garage.

“The last thing I remembered was getting into a cab at the airport,” she said. “I didn’t and still don’t know why I was left in the parking garage. The assailant, or assailants, left everything but my passport and all other forms of identity. Thankfully, several hours later, an amazing couple, you know as the Phins, discovered me and called an ambulance. I was unconscious for four days and they never left my side.

When I came out of the coma, I couldn’t remember anything… including my own name. I was in the hospital for three weeks before I was released in the care of the Phins. I lived with them for two years. It was during that time that, even though I had no idea who I was, I discovered my passion.”

“Kathleen,” she said as she took my hand in hers. “It was two years later, after working with a very talented therapist, that I began to remember my past. By then, you were settled with my parents, and I was involved in an operation that saved good people from being set up to take the fall for monsters.

Every year we celebrate a day we call Thanksgiving

It’s a great reminder of the thanks we should be giving

This year, things have been different, our life was rearranged

And so, at least for us, Thanksgiving Day has changed

The love and hope and prayers, each special little gift

The miles you drove to be there all gave us such a lift

I’m sitting here this morning after saying a tearful prayer

We saw God through all of you, and knew that He was there

Yes, it’s been a year much different than any year before

We’re so filled with thankfullness, we couldn’t hold much more

We’ll eat a lot of turkey and think of family everywhere

We’re full of thanks for them, and all the love we share

Thanksgiving Day is once a year. It’s a day of gratitude

For us the day has changed. We have a different attitude

Every day will be a day of thanks, and this is what we vow

We’ll celebrate the yesterdays and be more thankful for the now!

Happy Thanksgiving to our wonderful friends and family,

Love,

Kip and Mary

I wrote this in 2019 after recovering from some health issues. Reading it on this Thanksgiving Day makes me full of gratitude. May you have a safe and blessed day.

You’ll say, “It’s not even Thanksgiving, yet. Please tell me you did not forget! Christmas things all have to stay… in boxes that are packed away. What is this world coming to? Is there something we can do?”

I’ve decided to be flexible. On turkey day I’ll be too full to climb the ladder by myself and put nutcrackers on the shelf.

When I’ve finished with that task I’ll take a moment to relax. Should I go all the way and decorate the tree today?

I’ll get extension cords and batteries, and things with lots of calories. I’ll put tea lights in small vases…scented pinecones in other places.

This is the plan that I’ll pursue, but I have something to tell you. I do things somewhat reversed. I always decorate me first.

(Living the dream will continue tomorrow!)

As I sat on the little bench and took in the magnificent view, I began to do something I hadn’t done in many years. I thought about my past. I read somewhere that life is either a big adventure, or it’s nothing. Had my life been nothing? My father had died suddenly when I was eleven. My mother worked as a buyer for a major antique auction house and traveled all over the world; consequently, I had spent most of my growing up years with my maternal grandparents.

I vowed early on in my life that I was not going to have children and I was not going to pursue a high pressure career. I wanted to play it safe, as they say. The fact that my mother left on an overseas trip the day I graduated from college and never came back, further validated both decisions.

I was an accountant for the same company in Seattle for thirty years. Five years ago, at the age of fifty-five, I was able to retire with a good pension. I thought I would be happy living in a retirement community in sunny Florida. I smiled at the thought of my lousy golf game. I wasn’t much better at bridge.

Now here I was living near the beach in Brewster, Massachusetts. My mother had just given me a portfolio of the people she intended to invite for Thanksgiving dinner. Who does that? Could it be that my mother didn’t think I had sense enough to converse with her friends?

I opened the leather binder and began to read about our guests.

Annette Morris, age 45, divorced

Art Therapist

Art therapy is an expressive form of therapy that works to improve a person’s overall well-being through artistic expression. Art therapists use it as part of a healing process, and it can help to reduce a patient’s stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and provide many other mental health benefits. Many patients find art therapy helpful as a way of getting assistance with personal development or working through past traumas. It is especially useful for those who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally.

Annette has a masters degree in psychology and has a private clinic in Boston.

Jack Stein, Age 56, divorced, two daughters, 12 and 14

Criminal investigator

Criminal investigators are law enforcement professionals in charge of solving complex crimes such as fraud, homicide, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. They use an extensive range of methods and resources. Jack, like forensic science technicians, collects and examines physical evidence. He also gathers other facts by interviewing people, looking through records, and observing the actions of suspects and persons of interest.

Jack works for the New York Police Department

Akeno and Goro Phin, 60 and 61, their only daughter was killed in an automobile accident. They are raising their eight year old grandson.

Medical interpreters

Akino and Goro provide language services to non-English-speaking patients to help them communicate with doctors, nurses and other medical staff. They own and operate their own business in Hyannis, MA. They have a high level of communication skills in English, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

Caroline Simpson, age 59, separated, one grown son

Volunteer, Alzheimer’s Association Advocate

With more than five million seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer’s Association advocates for better research, policies, and care for a significant portion of the senior population. They also provide resources and suggestions to people who want to do their part to advocate for Alzheimer’s patients. As the number of people with Alzheimer’s continues to grow, the organization has an important role to play in helping the seniors and their families affected by the disease.

I closed the binder and wondered what had brought this unlikely group together. When I got back to the house, I went to my mother’s room to ask her just that. She was lying in her bed with her face turned toward the window. I thought she must be looking at the beautiful sunset, but as I moved closer I could see her eyes were closed.

“I’m glad you find our conversation humorous, Stella. I wish to speak to my daughter alone. I’m sure you have something to keep yourself occupied while we discuss a few things of importance.” Stella shrugged her shoulders and turned to leave.

“Okay, Miss Clair, but I’ll be back in a while to give you your morning meds. Get her to eat something Kathleen.”

“Please, Stella…call me Kat. I’m sure my mother does as she pleases. At least she did thirty years ago.”

“Before you say anything, Mother. I have a few basics I need you to clarify. The envelope you sent me included a copy of the deed to this property. The accompanying document stated there were no conditions attached to the transfer of ownership, other than allowing you to stay here for a week during the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope you’re not thinking we’ll have some sort of bonding experience and I’ll feel compelled to invite you to extend your stay.”

“I’m a woman of my word, Kathleen. The house is yours to burn down if that’s what you’d like to do. Just make sure Trixie is taken care of. If you read the document closely you must have noticed watching after Trixie was the only thing I asked of you.”

“I’ve never had a dog, Mother, but I’m sure we’ll manage.”

“Now,” she said. “Since this will be my last Thanksgiving spent here, I would like to invite a few people to join us. It’s very last minute, so we must plan quickly.

You should know a few things about this interesting little group. We’ll have Stella extend the invitations. I feel sure all five will RSVP. Would you please hand me the folder sitting on my bedside table?”

I did as she requested. She had been facing the window all the while we talked, but now she turned in her wheelchair to face me. I could tell my mother was very sick.

“I’m assuming these friends of yours live close by,” I said. “It will be nice to meet some of my neighbors. I was wondering who watched over Trixie while you were away.”

“Yes, I had someone come in. Trixie hates to leave her home. As for our guests…this is a portfolio of the people who will be here the evening of Thanksgiving. Please review it closely. And to answer your question…all of them live on the Cape at different times of the year. Now excuse me dear, I’m going to eat something after which I’ll need to rest. Stella can be a real taskmaster. I find it easier these days to do as she asks.”

I felt like I needed some fresh air…salt air… yes, I needed salt air. I took the portfolio and headed for the beach where I found a bench to sit on.

I stayed there for two hours.