From Ulonda Dietmeier

Monroe

Editor's note: In celebration of March being Intellectual/Developmental Disability Awareness Month, Monroe resident Ulonda Dietmeier has shared a poem about her son, Clair, who died unexpectedly Dec. 24, 2013.



His older sister, Celeste,

Objected to our use of "him."

So I named the baby Clair after his father, if a boy,

Or Clare, if it were a girl

After Grandmother Signer.

The baby arrived March 24,

Weighing 8-pounds, 7-ounces.

He struggled mainly to nurse;

His weight fell below fine;

Was still there when released

On Dad's birthday, April 24.

Clair, when in his walker,

Delighted in observing our

Mare and foal grazing among

the pines on our north lawn.

He mimicked the mare's call

"Ho" which eventually became "horse."

He attended Jean Otteson's

Preschool class in Monroe;

Then was in Bernice Kingdon's

Special Education Class at

Junior high until his 21st

Birthday party March 24, 1986.

Clair loved life on the farm.

He swept mangers, helped feed

Calves milk while his cat

trailed him. His first love

was horses; bringing treats,

Petting and riding them.

We retired to Monroe in 1991.

Clair was employed at GreenCo

Industries where he derived

Much satisfaction from having

A job, receiving a pay check

And associating with friends.

Over time he had become more

Independent, enjoyed bowling,

Swimming and playing bingo,

Dancing, attending events on

The Square, at Monroe Arts

Center and family gatherings.

Clair was home most of April

recovering from pneumonia,

And was happy to return to

GreenCo, work and friends.

He never fully recovered

But was more independent.

December ... Christmas party:

Dinner, program and gifts.

One day with a drippy nose,

Then a hoarse voice and sore

Throat. Day 3: hospitalized,

Left us Christmas Eve, December 24.