By Janette Knutson Stone

 

Once in a while you hear a story that celebrates life and lifts you up. This is one of those stories.

           My husband, Tom, and I live next door to Larry and Bunny. We hadn’t seen their daughter, Linnea, since we’d moved back to the island and just presumed she was busy working at the MARC house, or taking photos, or paddle boarding. Larry is an entertaining driver for City View Trolley Tours. While on one of those tours recently we learned that the latest addition to the Butterfly Gardens is a pair of fledgling flamingoes known as Larry and Bunny. Not bad for a hardworking couple from Oklahoma who have quietly made their way into the hearts of many people in this community. Bunny works long hours managing the Dollar Store. So when I saw her arrive home from work one day I bailed her up at her front door. And that’s when she told me about Linnea’s latest adventure.

 

 

Two years ago Linnea invited us to lunch at the MARC (Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens) where she joyfully goes to work Monday to Friday. It was a tasty lunch and we enjoyed Linnea’s attention and care. It was great to sit down and visit with her at the table. Linnea is a generous spirit. She is warm and loving. Linnea is developmentally disabled. Nevertheless, Linnea knows what she wants and she has no trouble setting goals for herself and achieving them.

 

 

One day, during an over the fence, backyard chat, Larry told us Linnea had taken up paddle boarding. “Do you know what, Jan?” he revealed with tears in his eyes, “Linnea said, Daddy, when I paddleboard I feel free. I feel just like everybody else.” Then he told me about her photography and how she observes things that others may merely pass over.

 

 

Linnea’s latest quest? She is living independently in a group home she shares with two other ladies. She takes pride in her room and is learning valuable life skills. Bunny and Linnea spend the afternoon shopping once a month. It gives them that very special mother/daughter time to catch up. Linnea has a boyfriend, named Ben. He once told Bunny and Larry, “Don’t worry about Linnea. I will look after her.” And he does.

 

 

I asked Bunny if Linnea missed Lily, the beautiful Doberman she cared for so much. “Not really, no,” said Bunny. “We had her home for dinner. We’d asked what she’d like us to cook and she said without any hesitation steak! We had a lovely dinner. Larry and I asked if she’d like to stay the night but she declined and was anxious to get back to her home.” Bunny has not felt such joy since Linnea was born. And Bunny’s joy overflows with the knowledge her daughter will survive if anything should happen to her.

 

 

Over the years, and over many back yard and front yard chats, both Bunny and Larry have talked about the wonderful support they’ve found here in Key West and the abundant opportunities for growth and advancement that have been offered to their daughter. More than once they’ve stated how safe it is here. Not so much in Oklahoma where their experience was different.

 

 

And again Bunny talked the other night about Key West. About how wealthy businesses support MARC and Special Olympics but you would never know who and to what extent because they give generously and quietly, not needing others to know who they are or how much they donate. She talked about the teacher at the high school who had a dream to get Stand Up Paddle Boarding recognized as a Special Olympic Sport. She held on to her dream and now at least twenty similar programs have been established in communities throughout Florida. She also talked about the outstanding, world class paddle boarders who take the time to encourage Linnea at competitions and training. They have become her role models and they have given her goals to work towards as far as developing her paddle boarding skills. Thank you Key West for making our island a safe haven, particularly for those who could so easily be at risk. You are setting a model for the rest of the state, the nation and the world to follow through your belief in, and respect for everyone. You bring new fervor to our banner, “ONE HUMAN FAMILY”.

 

 

“One more thing,” Bunny said before opening the door, “After one of our shopping afternoons, I was back at Linnea’s and there were some chickens on her patio. As I was leaving she got out the broom to sweep up whatever they’d left behind.” Bunny shook her head with pride, relief and wonderment. Finally she said, “I can die knowing Linnea will be okay.” She left me with her beaming smile and said, “Gotta go in, it’s been a long day.”

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]