27th January 2009

It doesn’t hurt less

posted in Uncategorized |

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.

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  1. 1 On January 28th, 2009, LisaBinDaCity said:

    I’m sorry about Trixie. She sounded like quite a pistol! She definitely had your number, Missy ;-)

    Hugs, my friend.

    posted on January 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

  2. 2 On January 28th, 2009, Cowboy Joe said:

    You know, I never really understood what it was like working with the elderly. But last year I was the foreman on a Care home. Project lasted a year. I’ve been away from it just under a year now. I’ve been going back to do service work over the last couple of weeks. I’ve got two girlfriends in the mild dementia/alzheimer ward and Gladys in the “runaway” ward. Then there is Clifford. He was in a car accident as a young man, suffered a massive brain injury. He has no family at all. So he’s been “in care” ever since. He reminds me so much of Shannon’s son Kyle. Clifford laughs almost all the time. His favorite saying is “no way Jose”. Though he likes the “f” bomb too. I get tears in my eyes every time I even think about him. I have taken him a CD, a picture to hang on his empty wall, and today bought him a Valentine’s card. Then there’s Jack who stays the night, but goes home during the day.
    I cannot imagine going in there and having one of them being gone. I am getting all choked up just thinking of it. So for Trixie and for that ache in your heart, I say a prayer. Peace be with you Trixie.

    posted on January 28th, 2009 at 11:55 pm

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