December 26, 2020

CHRISTMAS VISIT WITH MOM: CUE THE CARDS OF LOVING SON

GRAVENHURST — Murray Smith admits to being a bit of rogue growing up.

And probably giving his mom, Melba Smith, 97, more than her share of grief.

But the 64-year-old Orillia resident is making up for it by regularly visiting his mom at Gravenhurst Manor, and having a “thin slice of turkey” each Christmas Day.

But this year he had to make due, when we spotted him, with peering into the dining room window and getting her attention with cue cards that spelt out his love for the Second World War veteran who worked supplying parts for the famed Lancaster bombers, which may have contributed to her deafness.

But she couldn’t help but see her son waving in the window late yesterday morning just before lunch while wearing a large red Santa hat giant gangly white beard.

A loving sight probably witnessed at other retirement and long-term care homes.

One that he knows his mother, who lived on John Street and was a member of the Gravenhurst Horticulture Society before moving into town from just north of Orillia near Cumberland Beach.

Her son was tripping over his signs as he trudged through the snow on the Manor’s deck.

And loving every minute of it.

He knows she saw him and that made his day.

Her day.

Our day.

And hopefully yours.