April Fools

I crawled out of bed at the usual time, got myself ready, and headed out the door. On my way into the nursing home, I met my friend Alissa. "Is there class today?" she asked me. It appeared we were the only two students there. We went inside to the education room. It was empty. Not wanting to turn around and leave without knowing what was going on, we went in search of the floor nurse who has been working with our instructor. Apparently a text had been sent out, but neither Alissa or I had gotten it. My home phone doesn't receive texts...

Rather than go home right away, we decided to stay and help with residents who needed assistance with breakfast. I fed Nancy sausage gravy and biscuits while we listened to a second resident ask repeatedly about seeing the doctor. Mom's cousin sat in a third chair nibbling at toast with jelly. E. is no longer able to communicate. If her thoughts are lucid, her words come out jumbled. It is sad to see confused minds in healthy bodies and clear minds trapped in bodies that won't cooperate. And, I do wish it was easier to learn who was who. Sometimes the nursing staff refers to residents by their first names, and other times by last names. I think it's going to take me a while to learn. A few at a time, a few at a time... And as soon as I learn that Charlie is the big guy in the red, it's tomorrow and Charlie is wearing something different.

Okay, now I should probably find something to do that might no otherwise get done if I didn't have the afternoon off.