It’s not like I work at the mall and see people of various ages come and go.  You’d think by now I’d be used to the cycle of life witnessed daily at work.  Nursing homes are often the last residence of many patients but when one of my favorite ladies passes away, it’s hard.
There’s very few 92 year old women that can accurately nickname me, but Trixie was spot on with mine:  Gabby.  She reasoned it with comparing my talking to most people’s breathing.  And at that age, you would figure she would accept her infirmities as just the way it goes, but everyday Trixie came to therapy ready to just stand.
JUST STAND.
Think about that for a minute, her last few weeks of joy and accomplishment stemmed from starting at complete dependency to assisting with all of her care including standing on her own feet even if it was to help the nurse aides change her pants.
Her laughter was contagious to the point that even the most hardened resident smiled in her presence.
And so tonight, no funny stories, no elderly irony to share.
Only the thought of my dear Trixie.
Heaven just added another laughing angel that I will never forget.