Papa Ed is the newest resident on the assisted living floor at Libertyville Manor. He is only one of two men. The other happens to also share his name -- Edmund. What are the chances, right?
He has a private room that has a nice sitting area. Next to his recliner sits a basket that holds his Time Magazines and the daily newspaper. There is a TV on a table, although figuring out the remote is tough. The oversized door, which does not have a lock, is best left partially open to encourage socialization and visits from neighbors.
When I got to the Manor yesterday, Papa's door was closed.
I knocked then went in. Papa was sitting in his recliner reading Thursday's paper (again). We sat and chatted for a few minutes. He told me about his night. ("Slept right through," he told me, but the nurse said he was up about four times.) I asked if he showered today. ("Of course!," he said. The nurse: "Not today.") I asked what he had for breakfast. ("Fried egg and one of those round things with a hole in the middle -- a donut -- but the menu on the wall told me it was French Toast.)
At 10:30, it was time for morning activities. Papa didn't want to go. He said he would rather sit in his room and read. Finally, I talked him into walking down to the activity room with me. The circle of residents were sitting in chairs and waiting for the activity to start.
We were late.
As a person who is always early so I don't have to figure out how to fit in, I started to panic a little bit. There was one chair left. The activity director waved us over and pointed to the chair. Papa and I walked over to it.
"Everyone, I want you to meet Ed, the newest member of our group," the activity director started.
Waves came at us from around the circle. Many said "hello."
A woman in a wheelchair next to Papa reached over to shake his hand. His name-twin Ed was sitting a few chairs down from him and gave a short wave when we looked his way.
My heart relaxed.
A wave is a powerful thing, isn't it?
"A wave is a powerful thing" it opens doors, it says hello and it can say I care. Your story speaks to me. The power in giving and the fear of being late.
ReplyDeleteOh, such love in your patient story. And gratitude for those waves from the residents. Funny, when I saw that your word was wave, I immediately thought of water. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteGlad for those waves. I read the ##DWHabit this morning and have been thinking which wave to write about. Ocean waves or baby waves?
ReplyDeleteWell written. I felt the warmth of the wave.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he and you were able to see the welcome.
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