This came to mind as I greeted people as I went into work at the nursing home today, but the point was hammered home as I sat with my friend. She cannot see and is often anxious. In her anxiety she constantly calls out, "Hello?" I answer patiently for the first couple of hours, but after just so many replies I begin to get creative, or stop answering every call. (Eight hours can be a long time...)I attempted to engage her in conversation after lunch. "Tell me about your horses," I ventured.
"My divorces?" she replied.
"I said 'horses,'" I told her.
"Oh," she said, "I thought you wanted to hear about my divorces."
"Do you have some of those too?" I asked.
"No," she lied.
Join us for ABC Wednesday.
THAT was funny!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
It took me completely by surprise.
Delete...need I remind you that this may to coming down the road for you and I someday?
ReplyDeleteNo, you needn't remind me. Sitting there for the past 8 months has been a scary and eye opening experience. Sadly, finding a bit of humor in the midst of the tragedy helps us keep our own sanity. I am not untouched by the sadness.
Delete...humor is good for the soul
DeleteTom. I think you missed the point there and you should study Martha's amusing anecdote... then apologise for being so harsh !
DeleteDi.
ABCW team.
He need not apologize for a reminder to be kind.. A reminder is always okay, even if I wasn't being cruel. The point hammered home was the fact that "Hello" starts with "H" and I heard it multiple times in the half hour before going in to lunch as well as during and after. (Along with "Okay?" which means "I want to get out of here and lay in my bed for the next three hours."
DeleteHaving anxiety's of my own, i can relatie to that person... working in the same branche as you, i can relate to you to...
ReplyDeleteSometimes, making fun of something can break the sorrow and sadness... but it is a hard job, for both parties.
A good choice for this weeks letter. We should more often speak it out, i think.
Have a nice ABC-Wednes-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
She typically hears very well, so it was a complete surprise when she misunderstood what I was saying. As for the anxiety, some days are better than others. It's only when the "hellos" come in 20 second intervals that I stop answering each and every one. The horse question was an attempt to divert her attention from the hellos and start a conversation while we waited for an aide to get her in for a nap. (I'm hands-off which is hard because there is so little I can do to help her.) Most of my attempt to reassure her feel futile.
DeleteThis is such a sad thing, hopefully you can give her an uplifting time.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I do try, Ann.
DeleteWhen I read this, I always think:"Oh dear we can all become like that."
ReplyDeleteThis getting deaf often confuses me.
Well,have a great weekend!
Wil, ABCW Team
My friend can hear fine, but my mom struggled with hearing every day. Yes, getting old is very disconcerting.
Delete