(A Letter to Mary)
by Janice Leber
July 4, 1996
I'm sitting in a luxury corner suite of the Intensive Care Unit at SF General, looking out over the highways and neighborhoods of this great old town. Lying nearby is a little old lady who has made a lifetime of giving out to the world -- broadcasting, if you will -- great gifts of heart, humor and joy. That heart of hers is in serious trouble today, but it's strong enough to prompt her to say, "Don't let me die -- sing!" So I break into a chorus of Kumbaya. Her fingers form a gun -- she shoots me. I laugh, I stop singing, I kiss her. She looks over to my husband. "David looks pretty," she says. Of course, I agree.
It's been a hell of a battle for Mama over the past three weeks. This is the first time we've actually seen her talking and naturally, she's giving everybody hell. She wants to go home in no uncertain terms and for the first time, I feel confident that she will.
I heard this morning that KPFA-folk are telling the world that Mama never submitted a program proposal. As the person who put together and submitted the paperwork I'm here to tell you that is a self-serving lie. In fact, they haven't even bothered to return my tape!
Anybody who knows the whole story has little doubt that "The People's Radio Station" -- a paragon I've looked up to my entire adult life -- had complicity in Mama's condition. Their hands are unclean.
But Mama will be back one way or another, if only in the hearts and minds of the 100 or so people who have sent cards and greetings of all descriptions -- from handmade and computer-aided designs to one with a monkey on it. As I read through the cards I smile, I laugh, I cry at how deeply this frail woman has touched lives -- more than she can know. Some write, "I met you 20 years ago ..." Many say they still think of her every Friday afternoon.
When she is strong enough to go through these messages herself, she will have a small idea of how very much she is loved. But those of us who are allowed to come see her take every chance to remind her of that very fact. And we pray to the Druid gods that she will eventually have a complete recovery. She has made it crystal clear that she wants to live.
Mama will be back. Hug a tree and BELIEVE!
Janice Leber, Concord