Ed Prestridge - well that is the person to honor with these words. He and I often joked around in the same manner many of you may remember. Quit witted, well spoken with a Texas draw. Can you here him say…. “welllll”. About 8 or 9 years ago, post getting acquainted during the 3pm MWF aquatic after care with several others inclusive of our wonderful friend Peggy Davis and at 2 pm Goodwin Powell RIP. ED said - “WENDY- welllll I want to ask you a question”. I said ok -go. Ed asked-after I am gone- in the distant future will you give my Eulogy? I said what…. Like today, when you leave here? I am not ready…. Ed said wellllll I am not ready today either- but when the time comes will you do it? I said, Ed- how will your 3 girls and grandchildren feel about me doing that? Ed said - will you do it please? I said -Ed, OK- YES. I have said to Peggy- OMG- should I mention this to one of his kids…… (I did not until now). I have been thinking about this tribute for almost 10 years. So this is my tribute-as I honor Ed Prestridge’s request. Please help me expand this tribute- Walking with a cane for his balance- coming to aquatics- faithfully executing his repetitive MWF daily exercises- I asked Ed- how long have you been coming to water and why do you come? Ed with his quick whit quipped- weeelllllll a long tiiiime and isn’t it obvious why I come? And from that moment I knew we would become fast friends. Ed and Peggy both had FLIP phones. They both had NO need to get new expensive phones. Or use any of this damned Facebook, as at this time this was only the beginning of social media. I met Ed shortly after Gloria passed. Ed was so grateful for Gloria and his family and sooo angry at the disease that made her so sick. We discussed and shared our family dynamics- politics, economic trends- and unlimited “HOT TOPICS” - AND by the way ED‘s professional life led him into banking. Hence he became MY BANKER- Peggy called him “The Banker” - and we would laugh. He spoke of a great trip Gloria took to Europe with I think one of her friends and one of their daughters. Ed often told me that if they had it to do again- knowing what they went through with the illness, that the decision of treatment would be different- and they would not do treatment. They would have chosen to travel until Gloria couldn’t travel anymore. Ed lamented about the decision of the treatment plan. He said Wendy- if you are ever faced with the cancer treatment decision- DON’T Do it. Ed was adamant. We discussed how - they made the decision that they thought may have given Gloria more time on the second go around. This sadness brought a painful situation for both of them. One levity point of treatment was that Ed spoke of a sunken living room in their home. He chuckled as he reminisced about how caretakers and family a like tripped up and down that damned drop. He said he got it fixed - put in a rail or something…. So people don’t fall or trip anymore. Ed walked with a cane - I begged and pleaded for him to use a walker. Ed said he wasn’t old enough to use a walker. I was away on vacation- Ed fell at the pool water fountain. When I returned to work- Ed was convinced he needed to use a WALKER. Ed and Peggy bonded in opposition to me as they both had flip phones when I met them. Neither one saw any need to CHANGE, use text messages or do any social media. One Friday night, just before I was leaving work I received a Facebook invite from Ed Prestridge. I ran to the land line- called Ed and told him his email had been hacked, someone was impersonating him on FB and that the hacker sent ME a friend request. WTH I said. Ed laughed and laughed. He said. Weeelllllll I thought I would try that damned thing you talk about. Accept. - Ed hung up. Omg I rolled laughing. On another point- Peggy Davis our friend plays the piany (piano)- Ed Prestridge could SING… and hold a tune with me. “We ‘re gonna take a sentimental journey”- yes the boy from Alvarado who grew up with out houses could sing. Ed often spoke in fondness about his sister who lived in Alvarado as well as shared experiences with his Momma and Daddy. Ed stated that he was not a perfect parent, spouse or grandparent- and I stated to Ed - good ‘cause there is no such thing- there are only actions cemented in love doing whatever it takes, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. Moving forward speaking about Alvarado- Ed began mentioning about girl he met in early school life circling back into his life now… Ed mentioned her to me (with out a name) several times. And as you may know-when Water Fitness Aftercare participants bring up a life change- to the “committee” - the “committee” consisted of Peggy Davis, Goodwin Powell RIP, and me. The “committee” had VETO power. Sooooo Ed conceded and the girl with no name, was named to us -Jerry Sadler. Jerry came to the bench of water class several times for us to have the opportunity to stamp Veto or Approval. We finally stamped approved. Jerry seemed to have given Ed the twinkle back into his eyes. Ed wanted to get physically stronger to go on a cruise with Jerry. Ed asked me if I would help him. I agreed and we worked - well really Ed did the work. I just cracked the whip and moved him outside of his comfortable Same o same o exercises. Ed increased his strength, stability and confidence-which intensified the eye twinkles. Each of us have carried our own thoughts- but for me seeing Ed enjoy animals, Matagorda travels, using his Smart IPhone, getting a smart watch, texting and using social media was priceless. Ed, Peggy and I have kept connected. We celebrated Ed’s 80th birthday with the “Committee” at the Asian King Buffet. The pictures are posted on Facebook. Six months ago or so, my phone rang in the morning. I looked down and saw Ed was calling. If he is calling it is IMPORTANT. I picked up and said What is happening? Ed said, Weeellllll Wendy, Wendy is that You? Yes, I said- Ed said, I was calling my Dr. as I don’t feel so great and my phone dialed YOU. Ed and I talked and he stated God had me call you. God put you in my life to calm me down and make me laugh out loud. What a wonderful compliment Ed paid to me with the unexpected call and receiver. I have to tell you, that call brought tears to my eyes. I returned to work from NJ travel in June 2022. I was walking down the hall at work- looked at the name outside the room door and saw Prestridge. I kept walking down the hall a few more rooms, then I turned around and came back to a room with a name that I recognized. I had donned PPE, so I was not physically recognizable. I knocked on the door- opened the door, went into the room and said “Well Shit”. Ed did not miss a quick-witted beat- he said “ Wendy, Wendy is that you?” I said yes it is meeee. Do you know me? Ed said, “Of course I know you. I am not dead yet.” We laughed and laughed, we cried a little. Ed asked me if I would do what he asked me years ago? I held his hand and said Yes. Ed told me of the Dr’s prognosis, and how he had been sick since he moved into Parc Place. Ed said he was ready to go. I said, You can see Gloria again. Ed said he would like to see Gloria again. I then said to Ed you can be ready to go… but not TODAY old man- I have to work. Ed said, OK not today, but Ed said he would go soon. I then was able to meet 2 of Ed’s 3 girls at Ed’s bedside. Knowing Ed’s girls had an action plan ready cemented in love. So to My Banker and My friend- watch the funny jokes on Thursdays with Gloria while you remember “We’re gonna take a sentimental journey. Gonna put my heart at ease. Gonna take a sentimental journey to renew old memories”. LOVE TO YOU MY BANKER.
