Tears began to roll down Rosemary Albright’s cheeks soon after the first few vehicles came rolling down her Columbus street by surprise Tuesday evening.
Motorists in the honking cars, trucks and SUVs were determined to at least emotionally come close to Albright in an age of COVID-19 and social distancing. And so, one by one, one after another, her dearest friends and relatives shouted to her from their vehicles: “We love you, Rosemary!” And “We’re praying for you, Rosemary!”
On the following day, she would be admitted to Franciscan Health Indianapolis for a bone marrow transplant to fight acute myeloid leukemia, first diagnosed Jan. 3. To protect her immune system during her 30 days, she will be in isolation at the hospital with no in-person visitors.
And then she will be isolated at home an added six months.
So this quickly planned event became her friends’ surprise, 115-car, 400-person, 30-minute makeshift group hug and send-off — organized by daughter Maddie Umphress, who then got help from Albright nephew and Indiana State Police officer Robert Hutson. He got traffic approval for the idea and led the lineup with an initial siren shriek.
Minutes into the procession, the 49-year-old Albright, a teacher at Seymour’s Jackson Elementary School, felt the heart of the lesson of love. And while standing at her front window — the one covered in fanciful paper hearts — watching and listening to the proceedings, she broke down in gratitude, weeping into a towel.
“My daughter Maddie told me a few minutes beforehand that someone special was going to come to see me,” Albright said.
For the complete story and more photos, see Sunday’s Republic.
