Dinner with Helen Thomas, for dmr, lpbk2713 and others who asked

[DFW]

At nearly 92, Helen is noticeably slowing down. She was much more frail this time than in January, and her legendary attention span is starting,slightly, but definitely, starting to shorten. She still retains her sharp wit and political positions, and is more anti-war than ever.

This was the first time my wife had joined us at Helen's favorite restaurant in Washington, Mama Ayesha's on Calvert Street. My wife loved the food, and Helen loved my wife (in those words). I complimented her on her taste, and noted that I shared similar sentiments.

My brother was driving, so drank no alcohol, and I don't do that anyway. Helen was under no such restriction, so when asked if anyone wanted a drink, she said "you bet!" and ordered a vodka tonic. My wife had white wine. I won't go through the menu f what we all had, but it was wonderful as always. As a local celebrity, Helen was seated, along with us, at "her" table, and people were interrupting us just to say hi to her, which we are used to by now.

To those DUers who asked, I DID say hi for you. She remarked, sarcastic as ever, "but I'm toxic and anti-Semitic, haven't they heard?" I reminded her that not everyone had swallowed that line, and she said, "Well maybe it's because they're the Underground." I said I'd be sure to pass that one along, and so I am.

All in all, we had a great time. Helen's house help, a wonderful team of women from Sierra Leone, where my younger daughter had worked with the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal, was not back when we brought her back home. We brought her up to her apartment, and offered to stay until they arrived, but she sent us home, thanking us profusely for taking care of her, and that her help would be home soon. I called her half an hour later to make sure, and Helen said they had called to say they were on their way. My wife, who is a social worker, said it broke her heart to leave Helen alone, but was reassured when Helen said her help would be there any minute. I know them, and they are fiercely loyal to Helen and would never leave her alone for any length of time. This time, there was a wheel chair in her apartment, something I had not seen there last time.

I remember there are a few Helen-haters on DU, and while I respect your views and reasons for them, whether or not I consider them justified, I'd appreciate not having them rehashed on this thread, if you don't mind. This thread is just not about that.

Helen is an American legend, but even legends age. She is grateful for the loyalty of her friends, and we are honored to be among them. We (my brother and I) have known her for over 40 years, and as long as she is around, we will remain her friends.