Chat with Deb—And Now She’s Gone

Take the photo. Always take the photo.

DEB: (as I walk into the room) You didn't read my text.

ME: <mumble as I pull out my phone>

screen capture by the author

ME: Oh!

Louanne was the last of the Quiddler Gang, a group of old friends, ministers and their wives, who would get together every month or so to play a word card game called Quiddler. Playing the game was really the excuse to get together, share a meal, share snacks during the game, and chat and joke and enjoy companionship.

Deb helped her mom host games and attend get-togethers after Dad passed. Then after Mom died I was enlisted to help (“That way Larry isn’t the only guy, Jackster”) as part of the gang. Then Larry died, then we lost Nancy, then Connie. So it was just us and Louanne; occasionally Joi, Luanne’s daughter, would sit in when she was in town.

“The Quiddler Gang,” as of March 2019. (L-R) Larry&Connie, Deb, Joi (Louanne’s daughter, sitting in), Nancy, Louanne (photo by the author)

Tuesday was our turn to host. We picked up Louanne, had lunch at her favorite place, and settled down in our backyard porch, positioning Louanne’s chair so she could watch the birds and squirrels at our feeders. Her short-term memory has been declining for the last several years, so she…