My walker’s name is Rick

Donald L. Hammen

It looks like this year I will renew my visits to south Minneapolis Farmers Markets starting with Midtown Farmers Market and Neighborhood Roots Farmers Markets (Southwest, Kingsfield and Nokomis). Last week I made my way to Midtown Farmers Market. There I made contact with the new manager. She recognized me and said hello. I said hello, and a conversation took off. I told her I have a new friend meaning my walker. Out of that conversation came the idea of naming my walker. And now I can say that my walker’s name is Rick. As in my deceased brother Rick.

GOODBYE, LYLE HART. HELLO, LAKEWOOD CEMETERY
Rick and I recently made our way to Lakewood Cemetery. We were there to meet up with Eric Hart, my longtime friend and supporter of Stories and Journeys and his mother. His mother’s name is Rojane. We were there for the interment of Lyle and to say goodbye. Rick and I arrived at the Lakewood Welcome Center before Eric and his mom. While we were waiting, I took advantage of the opportunity to get my own 2026 Lakewood calendar. Also while we were waiting, Mike Rydberg showed up. He is my Lakewood representative who took time to chat with me and meet Rick.

While we were chatting, I mentioned that I write a column called Stories and Journeys that gets published in Southwest Voices. I showed him a copy. I told him that I once told my publisher, Tesha Christensen, that my last column would be my obituary and that I wanted copies of the Messenger and now Southwest Voices available to people who show up for my interment and service. She once told me she thought she could make that happen. At that point Mike suggested that maybe Lakewood could place an ad in a TMC Publication. He gave me the business card for whom TMC Publications should contact at Lakewood to place such an ad. When I got home I left a voice mail for TMC Publications recapping my conversation with Mike.

Just before Eric and his mother arrived I learned that a book focusing on the history of Lakewood exists. It’s called "Haven in the Heart of the City." I bought a copy for $25 plus tax. Eric and I have an interest in neighborhood history. After all he is the lead author of "Neighborhood By the Falls" history of our southeast Minneapolis neighborhood. We now have Lakewood Cemetery in common. I will be buried in the Garden Mausoleum at Lakewood. And we now have a shared interest in the history of Lakewood Cemetery and southwest Minneapolis. Eric now owns the history of Lakewood book.

Eric oversaw a brief time of shared memories of Lyle – a known Stories and Journeys reader. A short but oh, so sweet time of remembering and saying goodbye to Lyle but also hello to Lakewood. After I paid a visit to my burial site in the Garden Mausoleum, Rick and I made our way home thanks to Metro Mobility.

And if you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river(flow) of life experiences which is Stories and Journeys.

ON MISSING ELDER VOICES AT FIREROAST CAFE
Me and my walker Rick were absent in March and April. I thought the cause of my being absent was seasonal allergies leaving me feeling miserable. After several weeks when my symptoms were not resolving I took Rick and made my way to M Health Fairview Urgent Care. I came away with a diagnosis of bronchitis and a treatment plan. For the most part my symptoms are resolved – although I tire easily. I do intend to make it to Elder Voices at Fireroast Cafe (3800-37th Ave. S.) on May 22. A Southwest Minneapolis resident has proposed Turtle Bread( 4752-Chicago Ave.) for a Friday June 26 meet up, which happens to be three days before my 82nd birthday, 10 to 11 a.m. officially. If you see a table with the Elder Voices sign at either of these locations that means I made it along with my walker, Rick.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When the land became real estate that destroyed the spiritual connection to the land. What do you think? Tell me, tell others or tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com

In gratitude for everyone who helps me age in place.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice Board of Directors.