Rose

I had just picked up the kids from school when I stopped at an intersection and right across from me in the crosswalk was Rose.  Rose is a cute little old lady who wears a red hat and some frumpy outfits--who we came across years ago.  We saw her first at the restaurant in town.  She was in a booth by herself eating her soup and sipping coffee.  Suddenly, she burst out loudly some profanity.  Others were shocked but Wayne and I not so.  A couple of our athletes have the same disorder.  It is uncontrollable and one should not be offended.  We weren't.  We asked about her to the waitress.  She told us that she was named Rose and is a regular.

So, we paid her bill without her knowing and did so every time we happened to be eating at the same restaurant as Rose.  We loved it.  Our hearts would warm when we saw her around town and we would say, "That's our Rose!"

Today Rose was in the crosswalk and for a moment, it appeared that she was disorientated.  I watched  and was thinking of how I could come to the rescue with the grandkids in tow.  Fortunately, she redirected herself and went to the other side without any problem.

Grace asked who she was and I told her brother and her about Rose.  I explained that Rose's brain doesn't work like ours but that doesn't mean that she isn't important. She just has a difficult time.  Somehow we got on the topic of old people and their memory.  I asked if I had problems with my memory and my brain wasn't working good would they still love me?  Without hesitating the both of them said, "Yes, we will always love you, Nana!"

I told them that when I am really old, it might be hard on mom to take care of me then I would have to go into a home.  Grace asked if that cost money and she was appalled that it did.  In her opinion, old people shouldn't have to pay for someone taking care of them, it should be free.

Interesting conversations happen a lot in my car transporting the grandkids to day care.  Love their inquisive minds.  I hope that they will have compassion to those individuals like Rose in the future because of our conversion today.

Janice

I've decided to not try to revisit the past months for my blog but to continue on.

Today, we visited Janice.  I love Janice.  She is one of my bowlers.  I don't know her age but I can guess she is in her late sixties.  She is very obese but that never stops her from bowling or driving until this Christmas.  She suffered three heart attacks and ended up in a rehabilitation center where she is now.

A couple of days ago, her husband, Eugene (another one of my bowlers) called me to let me know that Janice wasn't doing well.  I felt guilty not visiting her since she first went in.  Life got busy and then I went through this surgery.  Nonetheless, I knew I had to go today and see her.  I'm glad we did. She looked bad--she was confined to a bed and I noticed that she gained even more weight.  Her hair was thinning out and her gout affected her hands.

I brought some roses for her which she liked. We talked and I couldn't help but think this might be the last time we do.  She told me that she was supposed to move to a bigger room but since they still need to watch her, she is still in this room.

I think back at better times when Wayne would flirt with her and she would laugh and beam.  As we were leaving, I hugged her and then Wayne said "Goodbye"....but she wouldn't have none of it.  Janice insisted that he come over to her and give her a big hug--she was laughing the whole time and had that gleam in her eye.  If the Good Lord takes her soon, I want to remember her just like this with that gleam and that laugh.

Been Awhile

So, my surgery on my thumb went well--the recovery was the pits!  My right hand was useless for eight weeks.  Today I have the small wrist brace on.  It comes off tomorrow--I am estactic!  Freedom at last!  Though I have not been a good patient when I received the brace.  It was easy to take it off and do more but alas, my thumb after awhile would object.

The brace is much better then the casts I received.  In eight weeks, I have more respect for my right hand, learned how to use my left hand more and used all my four fingers on my right hand in place of my thumb.

Granted I push the envelope or in my case, my thumb, by writing, typing and today sewing longer than I should.  It is okay--my body and mind sometimes disconnect and I feel I am superwoman....that thought process ends as soon as the reality hits.

It feels good to be able to do more with my right hand and yes, I will push it just like I always do!