News from Miami

EDITORIAL NOTE:  The Text Times and Tribune has sent its top reporter Sherry Lane to cover Mario’s recovery.  It is hard for the Email Express Gazette to keep up with the velocity that news can be shared via Twitter and Texting, but hopefully as newsprint has found a niche in an increasingly electronic world, the Email Express Gazette will provide the more in-depth reporting and the human interest perspective desired by our faithful readers.

HEADLINE:  MARIO GETS OUT BUT ON PROBATION

Our Miami doctor thought Mario was well enough to leave the hospital, but had to stick around Miami until Tuesday to make sure the wound is healing nicely.  Consequently he, Sherry, and FOG will have a low-key Christmas in South Florida with Aunt Julia, before the trio heads back to Atlanta.

The wound, photographed by our reporter, is healing nicely and extends from the right buttock down the thigh for about 18 inches.  Our high editorial standards preclude sharing this photo with our readers.  However, please do not be fooled by any “shark bite” stories that may be used to explain the wound.   One would wonder, given the wound’s location, how and when it would be seen and require any explanation whatsoever.  During his Presidential years Lyndon Baines Johnson proudly showed his abdominal surgical scar to reporters.  Perhaps too for Mario, the “shark bite” will be a badge of honor to be shown to friends, family and AT&T colleagues over coffee in the break room????

On Saturday, as many of you texters and twitterers already know, Mario was released from the hospital.   He left his room, sans the traditional wheel chair and walked to the exit.  The Honda Element was easily converted into ambulance of sorts by lowering the back of the front passenger seat and back of the corresponding back seat. This created a bed of sorts, creating a sleeping pallet about 2 feet wide and 6 feet in length from the dashboard to rear of vehicle.  The “bed” had sleeping bags and pillows to cushion Mario’s delicate leg and “shark bite” wound.   “Mariopatra”, much as Elizabeth Taylor as the legendary Cleopatra, was transported in not so regal splendor from the Jackson Memorial Hospital to Towne Place—not Palace—Suites in Doral as suburb of Miami. He did not eat grapes during the voyage but instead enjoyed a Gatoraide.  Sherry attended to Mario’s needs in the adjacent passenger seat and FOG settled into role of chauffer and jack of trades.  Mario expertly resolved a prescription issue on the way to the hotel that may have daunted the FOG.  The issue was resolved, perhaps not entirely to Mario’s satisfaction, but nonetheless resolved. 

Towne Place Suites is a new, basic extended stay type of place.  It is located in the golfing community of Doral.  While FOG had expected an upgrade to a larger more sumptuous suite as befits his Marriot platinum status, instead he got an extension of the lower holiday rate for an extra day, an early check in, and a location of the room to make it easier for Mario to get in and out.  The couple also received waters and a sugary treat.  It was an OK deal everything considered.

While Mario rested at the hotel, Sherry and FOG went to get the Christmas meal, since most everything would be closed on Christmas Day.  While there was talk of Sherry cooking a rib roast, when the tire hit the road, all decided they all were too tired to cook.  Aunt Julia did not want to cook either and refused to let FOG cook since he messes up her kitchen, or so she says.  FOG suggested a traditional American Sunday dinner, and the easy way out was A Boston Market Family Feast, which included a whole roasted chicken, large sides, corn bread, and apple pie.   To make their feast feel more ‘holiday’ special, Sherry and FOG added appetizers, salad and wines.  The Christmas Dinner will take place at Aunt Julia’s home, which is nicely decorated for the holidays. Thinking back, all were grateful and perhaps a bit more appreciative, for the nice Trout Cabin Thanksgiving and BJ’s cooking.  Perhaps BJ too will choose the Boston Market special one of these years—something to consider.

Sherry and Mario got into the holiday mood by decorating the Christmas evergreen they received from the Rheim family.  Under Mario’s careful, but mostly un-needed supervision, Sherry decorated the evergreen with the provided lights and snowmen.  A big thanks to the Rheim Family for a very good call on this get well gift.  FOG contributed a Christmas night light with glittering snowflakes and Mario’s AT&T family sent a lovely flower arrangement with Teddy Bear and chocolates.  The newlywed’s little Doral  “apartment” actually had a holiday feel.

FOG left the newlyweds to have a little alone time, before having to pick up Aunt Julia who was celebrating Noche Buena, Cuban style with a roast pork dinner with friends.

While this Christmas is very different from what Mario, Sherry, and FOG had planned, it is still Christmas.  A time to be with loved ones and grateful for the bounty, whether large or meager, and for the blessings we have in our lives.  All Christmases are special if you are with the ones you love and love you.

A Merry Miami Christmas

Sherry, Mario, and FOG