Mphy

surely worsen. So Alphy went for the operation. It did help, and
once again Alphy could get around with the walker. He could walk
again, but his steps were unsteady even with the walker.

At this time in his life, Alphy was struggling to accept his
physical limitations, while still trying to make the best of it. But
sometimes he would get discouraged and say, “Look at me- my legs
won't work.” Sometimes, when he really had the blues, he would
say, “I’m no good any more.”

If Margurita heard him speak in this manner, she would chide
him, saying, “Don’t you talk like that.” Sometimes she would try to
cheer him by saying, “Your tongue is still in perfect working order.”
But this did little to console Alphy and, as he slipped into
depression, it became more difficult for him to deal with the losses
in his life.

In November of 1987 there was a death in the community
which had a great impact on Alphy. The lady’s name was Mary
Arsenault*. She had a terminal illness, and at the time of her death,
she had left a grieving eight-year old son. Mary was not related to
Alphy, but she had grown up next door to the Doucette family.
Alphy knew her and her family well.

Margurita had gone to Mary’s wake, but Alphy had _ stayed
home because he was unstable on his feet, and Alphy didn’t want to
chance falling in public. Eileen and the children had come home for
a visit. Eileen decided that she would stay home with her father
while Margurita went to the wake. The Harper children were visiting
with their father.

Alphy was sitting at the table drinking tea .... he suddenly
pushed his tea cup aside. He looked very solemn. Eileen asked him
if there was anything wrong.

He answered, “I know what that little boy is going through. I
was only seven when my mother died.”

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