Every time I go to the hospice, I think to myself what new is this one
hour going to bring me today. I must say that I'm surprised every time.
This Wednesday was a bit of a rush for me. I got tied up at work, so I practically rushed my way to the hospice. I had to take care of some errands in the evening, so I did not have much time to spend at the hospice today. I entered the doors thinking what's going to be new today. I was surprised to see that Mr. Polite was not on his usual table having dinner. I asked around and found out that he had to be transferred to another hospice temporarily. I was looking around for Ms. Lovely Smile and found out that she is in her room. I decided to go check on her and spend some time. I enter her room and he is lying on her bed listening to the radio. She saw me and greeted me with a huge smile, like always. This time she took the initiative to ask me how I was. It did seem like she recognized me and was looking forward to my visit. I asked her a couple of questions and she seemed to be responding very well. Not even once did it seem justified for her to be at a hospice. She and I were having a very lively conversation. She was sharing with me how she feels that her memory is becoming poor. Instead of making it a sad piece of conversation, I joked with her that I feel I'm losing memory too (it is true, in a way!) and we laughed it away. I must say that its a delight to see her laugh heartily! She even said that I was funny! (No one has called me funny!!!). A lot of times she shushh'd me to listen closely to the song and remember the song and the singer. I must say that I was quite impressed. We kept talking for a while and she repeated that she is losing memory. I thought I'll ask her if she remembers my name (just for fun sake). As far as I remember, I told her my name the first day we were introduced. Did not even mention it after that. She did not pronounce my name correct, but she was pretty darn close! I was absolutely amazed! And she seemed pretty happy that she got it right, almost.
She complemented me that I look very pretty. I blushed a little and then I told her that I think she was a beautiful smile. She didn't believe me and said that I was lying. I immediately took a photo of her and showed it on my phone so she could see it herself. She looked at her picture and blushed!
I was having a very pleasant conversation with her. Sadly, I had to leave early to take care of certain chores. But, today was a very, very pleasant evening conversation with her. I could see that she didn't want me to leave. But, I had to.
Life runs a full circle. Old-age brings you back to childhood, in a certain way. At this age, they need complete support from their children, who they painstakingly raised to adulthood, to take care of them and be by their side. It aches my heart to see them being taken for granted. I, myself, have taken a while to understand and realize their importance in my lives. All they need is love and affection from their loved ones. The least we can do is be there when they need us. This volunteer position makes me appreciate my folks even more each day. I hope I grow up to support them in every way I can and be by their side, always.
This Wednesday was a bit of a rush for me. I got tied up at work, so I practically rushed my way to the hospice. I had to take care of some errands in the evening, so I did not have much time to spend at the hospice today. I entered the doors thinking what's going to be new today. I was surprised to see that Mr. Polite was not on his usual table having dinner. I asked around and found out that he had to be transferred to another hospice temporarily. I was looking around for Ms. Lovely Smile and found out that she is in her room. I decided to go check on her and spend some time. I enter her room and he is lying on her bed listening to the radio. She saw me and greeted me with a huge smile, like always. This time she took the initiative to ask me how I was. It did seem like she recognized me and was looking forward to my visit. I asked her a couple of questions and she seemed to be responding very well. Not even once did it seem justified for her to be at a hospice. She and I were having a very lively conversation. She was sharing with me how she feels that her memory is becoming poor. Instead of making it a sad piece of conversation, I joked with her that I feel I'm losing memory too (it is true, in a way!) and we laughed it away. I must say that its a delight to see her laugh heartily! She even said that I was funny! (No one has called me funny!!!). A lot of times she shushh'd me to listen closely to the song and remember the song and the singer. I must say that I was quite impressed. We kept talking for a while and she repeated that she is losing memory. I thought I'll ask her if she remembers my name (just for fun sake). As far as I remember, I told her my name the first day we were introduced. Did not even mention it after that. She did not pronounce my name correct, but she was pretty darn close! I was absolutely amazed! And she seemed pretty happy that she got it right, almost.
She complemented me that I look very pretty. I blushed a little and then I told her that I think she was a beautiful smile. She didn't believe me and said that I was lying. I immediately took a photo of her and showed it on my phone so she could see it herself. She looked at her picture and blushed!
I was having a very pleasant conversation with her. Sadly, I had to leave early to take care of certain chores. But, today was a very, very pleasant evening conversation with her. I could see that she didn't want me to leave. But, I had to.
Life runs a full circle. Old-age brings you back to childhood, in a certain way. At this age, they need complete support from their children, who they painstakingly raised to adulthood, to take care of them and be by their side. It aches my heart to see them being taken for granted. I, myself, have taken a while to understand and realize their importance in my lives. All they need is love and affection from their loved ones. The least we can do is be there when they need us. This volunteer position makes me appreciate my folks even more each day. I hope I grow up to support them in every way I can and be by their side, always.
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