Days at The Last Hurrah

Today I learned there are 21 steps from the floor to the choir loft at Blessed Sacrament; Marni Nixon was the voiceover for the film version of My Fair Lady; there is such a place as Heaven and where to find a backup CD player for the inaugural Audio Book Club.

I stood in heels for a one-hour meeting; grabbed a corded phone off the floor; got wedged between a wall and a wheelchair and sang The Star-Spangled Banner.

I cried next to a stroke victim, celebrated a milestone birthday, reported heartburn, shopped for puzzles and passed out extra chips for BINGO.

I lifted drinks to people’s lips, held my breath as an ambulance parked, unjammed a printer, read a Christmas card and played the piano over lunch.

I lent a hand, and a stapler. Answered a call light to block the sun, made some jokes to lighten the mood, and unexpectedly lost a friend.

Today at The Last Hurrah I smiled slowly but was sure, that time was merely moments shared in a spirit that lives on.