Spillin' the Tea at 503

Welcome to 2026 – a fresh new year – with big things to look forward to! It’s been a little while since our last update and we’re so happy to welcome everyone back to the blog. Before jumping ahead, we want to pause and say a heartfelt thank you to the many visitors who stopped by to spend some time with Nanna and Big Guy … it truly means more than we can say. A bit more on those visitors …

… Starting with the Christmas and New Year holidays in December and rolling right into January, our month at The 503 was a busy and wonderful time! We celebrated three birthdays, a couple of haircuts, a day at the beach and were lucky to welcome Stephanie; Bobbi and Oliver (and Vinnie); Mike and Lizzette (and Taz); Bill and Deb; Ariel and her kids; Claire and Logan; our brother John and Mary Elise. The house – and our hearts (and our bellies) – were filled with laughter, good food, good bourbon and good times! Our faces hurt and our bellies ached from laughing so hard at times – but, these moments together reminded us just how special it is to slow down and enjoy each other. Nanna and Big Guy thoroughly enjoyed the company and seeing everyone, as always.

Pop and Oliver

Lizzette’s Birthday – 60!!!

January also included a quick but memorable trip when Anne, Trish, and I zipped up to Pittsburgh to meet up with Stephanie for the Steelers – Texans playoff game. It was one of those whirlwind adventures that packs in excitement, laughter and a lot of team spirit, totally surrounded by fellow Steelers fans. More than once along the way, we thought to ourselves how crazy it was – a 36 hour whirlwind trip. The Steelers lost; however, it wasn’t enough to dampen our enthusiasm about taking the trip — well, it was kinda disappointing — but we had a good time!

As January came to a close, we also gathered in Beaufort for what we lovingly called – SIBLING SUMMIT 2026. While not an easy topic to discuss, it was an important and necessary conversation. Bill, Anne, Michael, John and I came together to talk through questions, concerns and – most importantly – Nanna and Big Guy’s wishes and desires for when the time eventually comes. Assignments were doled out, responsibilities were accepted and Mom helped guide some crucial decisions so her wishes could be clearly captured and honored. These conversations are never comfortable, but having clear answers and a shared understanding will help ensure that arrangements can be handled as smoothly and lovingly as possible. It was a meaningful time rooted in care, respect and doing right by the people we love.

Big Guy – he sleeps more these days – asleep for more hours during the day than he is awake. He started using a walker in early December and his gait is no longer a walk; it’s a shuffle. Each day, that shuffle gets a bit slower and harder to accomplish. He’s been in AFIB quite a bit this past month and that contributes to his lethargy and sleepiness. His appetite is waning a bit – he has a good breakfast, a halfway decent lunch and most often, no dinner. Even though he may be awake, his eyes are closed most of the time and he drifts in and out of sleep whether he’s at the kitchen table, his chair in the living room or in the car. I noticed he slurs his speech a bit these days, too. But, from time to time, he surprises us with his wit and humor. Just today, Anne asked Mom if she could use her upright vacuum in her new (yet to be named) “She Shed”. It’s important to know that this vacuum has a cover – a full length, top of the vacuum to the floor, bunny rabbit cover; it has a long face and ears and fits over the whole thing. At night, it can be very frightening, waking up and seeing this thing staring at you! But, that’s a story for another time. Today, the brief conversation went like this:

Anne: Mom, do you know your bunny vacuum?

Mom: What?

Anne: (A little louder) DO YOU KNOW YOUR BUNNY VACUUM?

Dad: Not personally!

Classic Big Guy!

Nanna – Mom – She’s going to be 96 in May!!! Amazing!!! Planning is underway for a birthday bash for her here in Beaufort over the Memorial Day Weekend (22-26 May 2026). The 503 and The 508 will be bursting at the seams with family and friends stopping by to help celebrate this huge milestone. Every birthday is precious – but, I’d argue, every day is precious for us and we’re glad we have these moments to share with them!

Over the course of the last year, Dad has had this idea that he was “tricked” into moving to Beaufort by Mom. “You lied to me”, he would say to her, after using some profane language. And when neither one was wearing their hearing aids, these conversations became very loud! He swears he never wanted to move to Beaufort and repeats a line he’s been saying for a couple of years: “I want to die in Scranton”! These comments are normally accompanied by him telling her not to kiss him, to leave him alone and even more discouraging , “Maybe some day I’ll love you again.” We know this is the dementia rearing it’s ugly head, but the actions and words are still hurtful and the pain can be read on Mom’s face. These can be some tense, awkward and very sad moments.

But lately, we heard something that we hadn’t heard in quite some time. As Mom was tucking Dad into bed, she kissed him – like she always does – and removed his hearing aids, again, like she always does. And we heard him say “I love you, MaryAnn. I’m sure of that!” Mom, ever so gently pulling the covers up to his chin, bent down closer to his ear and said, “WHAT?” It was nearly a tender moment!

‘Til next time …