Audrey Mae SpencerSpencer Historical CemeteryHenry Straight / William Spencer Family Cemetery
Vaughn Historical CemeterySpencers of East Greenwich, RI
Conversations
6 September 2003

Heather: How are you with the companion chair?

Audrey: It is a beautiful little chair you sent. It isn’t heavy at all. It folds up in a little box. I love the chair.

6 September 2003

Heather: What have you been doing?

Audrey: Doug was here. He drove me up to see Suzanne and Roger’s home.  Ian woke up before I left!  I couldn’t be happier. Everything is going along fine. I enjoy life. The sun is shining and there is a daddy longlegs on the outside corner of my window. My hearing is good if everything around me is quiet.

13 September 2003

(No Answer)

21 September 2003

Heather: How are you feeling today, Mother?

Audrey: I feel the same. I don’t feel any older or younger. I’m always pretty tired. I was born in 1912. I like to sleep a lot. I don’t seem to be too strong. I’m a great “napper”!! I love to take naps.

21 September 2003

Would it be easier to lie down and talk?

Audrey: No. No. No.  I have a nice chair. I like to sit up and talk.

21 September 2003

Heather: Who have you seen lately?

Audrey: They come and go. I see them all the time. Oh, there goes Sir Sobersides. He is long and lanky and has a black cap on! He never smiles when he takes out the trash. Vivian, she is a nice quiet lady. Everything is going along smooth. I don’t have to do a thing.

27 September 2003

(No Answer)

19 October 2003

Heather: Hello, Mother, I tried calling you last Saturday, but there was no answer.

Audrey: We get along!  They (Alpine Nursing Home staff) take us places. They push us around. I stand up and turn around two or three time a day. I get a little bit of exercise.

19 October 2003

Heather: How would you describe your life, Mother?

Audrey Mae MacDonald

Audrey: I feel as if my life was floating along with my head out of water. Not deep in trouble but not too graciously happy either. Just floating along with my head just out of water. Of course, the happiest time in life was when I held a baby. I used to tell your father that the children come first.

19 October 2003

Heather: Is life easier here at Alpine Nursing Home than living with Crystal’s family?

Audrey: Life is easier.  Poor Crystal couldn’t take care of me. I was happy to be home but Crissey, she can’t take care of me. She deserves to be free to come and go.
I am glad I am not a burden to any of my children now. I have a nice place here at Alpine. They take good care of me. I’m feeling good. I have no pain. I take long naps. I enjoy sleeping. I wouldn’t go back for anything. Crystal and I laugh about the “boring chair” that I named boring because I was always sitting in it. My boring chair here at Alpine moves faster than I do. I’m healthy enough. I ride around everywhere. This is a beautiful chair (the companion chair). It moves so easily. Every which way I turn, it moves so easily. I just go out in the hall.