I was sitting at work today, looking at all my "friends", trying to figure out what it was that brought the spark of awareness to their eyes. I watched them talk to each other, each in their own language...nothing that meant anything to me, or to each other, and yet a conversation held between them that seemed to be understood! And I'd see it, now and then, that spark of who they used to be...sadder still was seeing that they, for a moment remembered it too..the person they used to be.
The "administration", in an effort to convince prospective "residents" families that we are a caring place to be, bought plant s for the planters out in front of our building. Now I understand the principle...what I do not understand is someone planting a paltry smattering of flowers, and then letting them die of neglect in the 1st place someone with a family member sees upon entering out gates! We care enough put 'em here, but 'enough to care for and nourish them once they're here! That's what it says to me! Harsh, I agree!
But then I started noticing that the biggest smiles, the most clear-eyed looks came when I wore COLOR! Red, deep blue, violet got reactions from even the most distant of my "friends"! And so I think...maybe it's color that's missing! My darling "Wilma" loves my hands...she holds them for minutes at a time, smoothing the skin on my fingers and arms...it dawns on me..she's trying to "wipe off" the "dirt"...I'm very tanned, she's very pale...she sees the color! "Ellen", crying over the death of her daughter yesterday, 30 years ago stops long enough to exclaim, "That's such a lovely blue sweater!"
Everything to them is muted now...dull greens and tans...no color! SO. I came home tonight, and my room mate and I culled from the veritable jungle on the patio, 3 flats of flowers! Pansies, Mums, Geraniums! All colors and sizes! I'm not going to ask permission...I'm not going to ask for compensation...I'm going to do it on my own time. But on Monday morning, there will be a riot of colorful flowers in our courtyard. And they will tell all who live there, and those who visit that this IS a place where things are nurtured, and cared for. That EVERYTHING & EVERYONE here, matters, and is cared for and deserves COLOR in their life!
Long may we bloom...
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Beautiful writing, as always. Long may we bloom my friend.
ReplyDelete@Amle my lovely, you are one of my favorite people! I have a tendancy to "show" you a side of me (the nice, gentle one) I don't show others because I believe you understand! Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteI wish every one had your way of thinking. That is simply BRILLIANT!!!!!! (Who doesn't want color anyway????)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lifecruiser.com
Of course I've always known you were a great writer. Very touching post. Plant some red ones for the Goose!
ReplyDeleteVery insightful and beautifully written. Very touching, and the metaphor of Alzheimer's patients being muted is a realistic description and poetic at the same time, even though I know it's sad. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well in your world :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. During my last quarter of massage school, I worked in the Alzheimer's unit of the local nursing home. One lady I worked with loved to sit in the window and stare at the flower garden. I didn't think much of it at the time. You are very perceptive. Thank you so much for sharing.
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