Make New Friends (At Assisted Living?)

I have the most unusual experiences!

This one  is no different.

You’ve all read (I hope) my previous posts about my mother’s mishap last January,  where she ended up recooperating in a nursing home in my hometown, later to be discharged to an assisted living apartment in east Tennessee.

The saga continues. . . . .

Mom fell and broke her other hip a couple of weeks ago and has landed herself back in a nursing home to do rehab physical therapy.

I got the bright idea that I would stay in her apartment for a few days while I was in town visiting her.  It’s an interesting place.

Upon arrival, I immediately checked out her pantry.  And the new fridge with the updated larger freezer.

Holy Cow!

Three kinds of cookies, five different ice cream flavors (it’s true!), a bowl of chocolate kisses, another of Hershey’s assorted, chocolate pudding, honey buns, popcorn, and lowfat yogart (to eat in case of guilt?)  This was going to be a fun slumber party for one!

Lest you think my mother might be surviving solely on sugar, I must tell you that the main meals are served in the dining room.  And somebody else cooks them!  Yes, I could get used to this.

Living in my mother’s “space” without her is odd.

I am aware of how hard the floor is.  I notice that it’s a concrete slab covered with stylish, yet, commercial grade carpet that will accommodate rolling wheel chairs and walkers.  I am also very aware of how much that fall must have hurt.

As I go out to my car to retrieve my luggage, a gaggle of my mother’s friends gather around me.  There is no other way to put it.  These women are a tribe.  They flock together.  One thing that I notice is the comraderie.  They welcome me with open arms and  I enjoy being in the fold!  Their genuine concern for my mother and also for me was very touching.

Two sweet ladies offered to help me “turn on the lights” in the apartment.

Hmmmmmm.   Think I can do that on my own.

Another kept asking me if I had a door key.  Yep.

But later,  found myself wondering if it mattered.  Apparently not.  One of the nursing assistants came through the door “just checking on you” around 11:00 the first night!

Actually, I found as the days progressed,  this gig my mom has going on is pretty darn good. It’s a very well-kept secret.  Alot of fun times are had inside these walls.  There is something very college-like about living here. You know, everyone around the same age and there’s always somebody to talk to?

The residents, with names like Laverne, Nell, Mary Ruth, and Georgetta, wear lots of smiles, take daily walks, reminisce on the front porch, and even play the Wii.   There are some great bowlers in the group!  Working puzzles, watching and playing “Wheel of Fortune” together, reading in the library, and celebrating a birthday are just a few of the festivities I was priviledged to witness.

Sidenote: We had a little unexpected excitement one night — a tornado warning.  I will spare you the details of what a handful of suddenly awakened residents looked like but suffice it to say I knew I wasn’t in Kansas any more!

Midweek, as I scurried over to visit my mother, I found her reading cards from well-wishers from “home.”  That would be Jackson, TN, where she lived for over 60 years.  She was emotional at times.  Missing her lifelong friends.

“Make new friends,

But keep the old,

One is silver and the other Gold.”

As luck would have it, as my mother was reflecting on her friends from “home”, a van pulled up.  Out came a group of her new friends to visit her.  Laverne.  Nell.  Ann.  Friends from her new home.

“One is Silver and the other Gold”

Life is good!

Both old and new friends are helping her with the recovery process.

Later in the week, as I was leaving my temporary abode to go back to my own home, I passed the gang doing their morning exercises. They were all smiles and a few waved as I passed.  I had become “one of them”, if only for a brief moment.

I take my cue from Mother:

“One is Silver and the other Gold!”

Peace,

-Martha