A Mother’s Letter to Her Children
By Anne Hines
Contributor


The following letter was sent by Carol Wahl to her children after she was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. Let it be an inspiration to us all. Carol is truly one of our heroes.

“What I am Thankful For”
I wanted to tell you something about what I am thankful for.

Yesterday Ron asked me to go to lunch. He picked me up and took me to George`s in La Jolla. We had to wait about 45 min before getting seated. We walked around the shops. I have made up some business cards to have in my purse that say, "Excuse me but I have a speech problem, please be patient with me. Thank you."

While browsing around a store one very young sales girl came to me and asked if she could help. I gave her my card, and then she started to ask questions not caring if she could understand me or not. Come to find out her Father has ALS, she knew all about Motor Neuron Diseases, we spend almost the whole 45 min, connecting. I went to buy some sunglasses and she said NO, keep them and just keep being the nice person you are.

We went on to lunch and got a great seat overlooking the ocean, watching the Cove, seals, people sailboats, etc. I ordered Mahi Mahi with Mango sauce and Fennel mashed potatoes. I have a heightened sense of taste, smell, touch, hearing now, so when I eat, the food tastes so much better. I cleaned my plate, I even asked Ron if anyone would notice if I licked my plate. It was delicious.

Now if I did not have this Motor Neuron disease I may not have experienced the caring and compassion from Tammy the young sales girl. Or from Francis the caring waitress who spent extra time with me going over the menu choices. Or seeing, smelling experiencing the ocean the way I did. Or having the most delicious meal, plus a taste sensation of a Snicker Doodle Sundae - an unbelievable taste treat.

I see things differently now. I have no negative feelings in me at all. I don`t think of the past, or the future, I only think and feel what is happening at the moment. I have such inner peace, joy, and happiness in me I can not explain it.

So, I just want you all to know since I can not talk very well, I am experiencing MORE, and I am thankful for it. Don`t feel sad for me, feel GLAD for me. Most people do not get this opportunity to feel this way. God Bless you all for caring so much, I am happy and thankful for this Motor Neuron Disease, it has enlightened me so much and brought people into my life who are truly wonderful. It has brought people back into my life that I have not seen or heard from in years. It has shown me that human beings can be such caring, supportive, wonderful creatures.

Now today I am off to the Casino with the girls from my Park. I can`t wait to see and experience the new sensations I will have today. Lately, each new day is like Christmas morning to me. HOW GRAND LIFE IS! Written by Carol Wahl – 10/24/08

ABOUT CAROL WAHL: Carol lived in Rosarito for many years with her late husband Tony, serving the community by working with the local non-profit groups, including Cruz Roja Voluntarios. Carol is best known for her participation in many Rosarito Theatre Guild Productions and as a member of the Rosarito Diamond Chorale. She produced, directed and starred in ‘Always’ Patsy Cline, playing to standing room only crowds at the Olde Vic Theatre. Most recently she has been a part of the Senior Theatre Actors Repertory-Star San Diego and was 1st runner up in the Ms. Senior California Pageant. She now resides in Chula Vista.


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