getting ready for the winter season

Mama wheeled her

into the living room

she asked me to keep

Grandma company

while she got some work done

in the kitchen

Father O’Brien was coming over

for tea

sure I said

silent

since the stroke

my Grandma sat there

her rosary in one hand

head tilted to one side

she looked slightly downward

at her lap

hair braided

and twisted into a neat coil

she had a light sweater

to keep her warm

I brought my record player

down from my room

and plugged it in

took out my favorite album

Free to Be You and Me

I began singing

to Grandma

sharing the booklet of lyrics

with her

making sure she could follow along

if she wanted

I sang the whole album

once through

then belted out my favorite

the title track

Free to Be…You and Me

sung by The New Seekers

over

and over

and over

again

still silent

                                    

 I sang it again.

Charlotte Zolotow is no longer with us.

I played my favorite album, Free To Be You And Me,

over and over and over again

for my Grandma

back in the days of record players.

William's Doll recorded by Alan Alda & Marlo Thomas

adapted from William's Doll by Charlotte Zolotow