By MARK MEDLYN, guest columnist
Several years ago I received a text from a number that I was not familiar with, but it was close to my number.
“Are you Mark, son of Ida?”
I assured them that I was, and how could I help? The texter said that my mother was trying to call me and that she was having trouble doing so, and she was getting frustrated. I apologized and said that I would take care of it. The reply was that it was no problem, that he hoped that someone would treat his grandmother the same way should she find herself in the same situation.
Over the next few months, I would get a text advising me that my mother had called. Sometimes, they would take her call, and other times, they would just let it go to voicemail. But in all cases, they would let me know that she had called.
Over the past few months, her medical condition progressed to the point that the simple act of making a phone call was difficult for her. We were left with nurses, aides and my brother to make the calls for her.
I saved the texter’s phone number. I knew that someday, I would need it.
That day arrived on March 14. My brother called and said that my mother had passed away quietly in her sleep, at peace and comfortable. She was finally able to be reunited with her husband.
Her remarkable life started with her parents, Italian immigrants who came to this country to start a new life. They raised eight children including my mother. She went on to get her Ph.D from Indiana University and became a school guidance counselor at Bloomington South High School and helped thousands. Even in death, she has donated her body to science to teach others.
But now, I was given a conundrum. Should I let the mysterious texter know? After all, it had been some time since she had called them by mistake.
I took a chance and let them know. Within moments, I received a text back.
“I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, Mark, but thank you for sharing. Our family never knew her name, but have been thinking of her during this whole pandemic always hoping that she was healthy, happy and calling (and just getting through to you) instead of us. She was always lovely to talk with and we will miss the random chances we got to talk with her and glad we were able to in some little way. Our thoughts are with you and your family Mark, take care and thanks again for letting us know.”
I did not cry, nor have I since my mother’s passing. My countenance does not allow it, and events in my past have given me the insight into what heaven looks like. I am at peace with her loss, for I know she is reunited with family and friends, and can be the brilliantly vibrant woman who raised three kids, who loved her husband of 55 years totally.
In this time of great conflict in our nation, the tears that I do shed are of joy, knowing that someone out there cared enough to listen to a very confused woman and made sure that her family knew she was calling. I have never asked, nor will I ask who this texter was. But I and my family are so thankful for their kindness and generosity. They will be part of my family’s legacy forever.
Mark C. Medlyn of Brown County is an occasional community columnist. A graduate of Bloomington High School South and Indiana University, he has worked as a police officer and an adjunct college instructor, authored a textbook on the Illinois vehicle code, and became a substitute teacher in Illinois upon his retirement from full-time law enforcement in 2007. He and his wife, a retired university instructor, have been Brown County property owners since 2015.
