Madeline Rose

Madeline Rose and I were winter friends, in Zephyrhills, Florida for many years. Married to her long time sweetheart, Olaf, they built homes, created a farm, raised a family, did organic gardening, vacationed, invested, and enjoyed many, many friends.

I first got curious about Madeline when Jim came back from her house with a leaf on his forehead! Earlier in the day, in a new-to-us trailer, Jim hit his head on a cupboard door. OUCH! it swelled even with ice, but that didn't keep Jim from strolling up to the clubhouse for the mail. Oley called to him as he passed, and when Madeline saw his bump, she gave him a Comfry leaf to put on it. That was the beginning of a long, long respect for Madeline, and her remedies.

Trained in reflexology, homeopathy, and acupressure, Madeline would walk a mile to learn something new about Natural Healing or Herbal remedies. She has never stopped learning. We went to Reiki classes, a "Gathering Herbs" lecture, and had lots of discussions which often began with a reflexology treatment.

Madeline suffered with allergies and debilitating spells caused by gas and diesel fumes, and some mysterious weaknesses which she struggled to understand. Once taken to the hospital, they found absolutely no causes, so she has carefully figured them out for herself.

Before I go further, and you wonder how this tale ends--it doesn't. Madeline is now 92, Olaf is 96. Oley still saws and chops and carries wood for their wood stove (they also have natural gas), and Madeline still cooks for them, and keeps house "enough to get by" (her words), and still monitors their health, with cell salts, home remedies, and a little help from modern meds-like teflon bandages for a bad arm injury, and having favorites looked up on the internet. They take no prescription medications, go to bed early, unless they have company, and eat fresh fruits and vegatables as much as they can. In fact, I hear they are planting a garden again this year!

When Madeline was not able to travel, so they sold their Florida home about 10 years ago, maybe 15, and somehow, we just got out of touch.

Last winter, I thought of Madeline, and paged thru my old telephone book and there was her number. I wondered if they were alive.

"Hello?"
"Hello, Madeline, I can't believe its you! How ARE you?"
"Shaaaaaron"!!! Oh my Gosh, how are you?"

And with that, we were best friends once more. We talk often, and she reminds me of things I seem to forget, and I remind her of the same. Encouragement and understanding are the platform of new beginnings, and once again I so look forward to talking with her weekly. We also made plans, and went to visit them, and both look amazingly well, and even prepared dinner for us even though we tried to dissuade this idea, as I expected frail, infirm oldsters. We were delighted with what we found.

So an evening of food and talk, seeing all of Olaf's WW2 medals and pictures, we tried to leave early, only to stay on another hour, until WE were tired.

Next morning, we had coffee and a nice visit, and I could write a whole page of the things I learned or re-learned in those great hours we spent with the Roses. In fact, I took notes as we talked.

On a scale of 10, my health and my well being has gone from a 4 to a 8 since our visits and talks began. I am teaching myself to include cell salts in my health routine, and am copying some information and calling Madeline with questions as I order my supplies. I decided to make myself a little booklet.

Then I decided I might make one for my children. Then, I decided Madeline might like some to pass along when she visits with family or friends and this discussion might come up.

So I am including this note, about a friendship and support system that will never end. I will hope that my Madeline will leave this page in our little booklet, and I will hope that others will enjoy sharing  her knowledge, her friendship and the healing concepts.

Thanks, Madeline