Katherine Quinby Stone Equestrian Enthusiast
My mother -- very quietly and in total confidence, of course -- told me the story of a friend who was being honored at a very old money, stuffy, ten thousand dollar a plate society dinner at the Country Club for her contributions to things other rich people enjoyed. It was an elegant Old South affair, with endless courses and enormous ball gowns and elaborate updos that contained at least two packs of bobby pins. The friend also had a son, Winston, who had Tourette's Syndrome. Winston had been invited to the dinner as well, because, of course, the family's reputation depended on the fact that he was normal, that every member of their family was perfectly mentally and physically healthy, thanks be to God. He sat at the table with his mother, calmly conversing with the well-to-do guests, covering safe topics like his father's business deals and how wonderful his mother's philanthropy was. Nobody was the wiser about his unfortunate ailment. The time came for his mother to accept her award, a sterling plaque or something equally ostentatious, and as she walked to the stage her accomplishments, of which there were many, were read aloud. "Mrs. Cunningham spent several years curating the modern art exhibition and supported dozens of local artists through grants and fundraisers." "Mrs. Cunningham's innate eye for interior decor is well-known throughout the region, and she showed her talent in her redecoration of the Daughters of the American Revolution salon last winter." "Mrs. Cunningham has donated her time, efforts, and substantial funds to the preservation and integration of the local opera and dramatic theatrical troupes,