by Jan Richards

Two times a week, I visited my friend in the nursing home. Sometimes, we would go out. She had to use a walker, so I would make sure the car was at her disposal

Later on, her legs needed more help then just a walker, she was comfined to a wheelchair. I still took her out, making sure the places we went to had ramps, and a wheelchair handy, if we did not use her's. I would wheel her to the car, then help her in. When we reached our destination, I would get the wheelchair, either from the trunk, or one at the place we were at, and help her into it.

One day, around Christmas time, I took her out to eat. After dinner, we took a ride to see the Christmas lights on houses. She enjoyed the beautiful lights. During her lifetime, her job didn't permit her these small pleasures.

One day, I knitted her a doll. To listen to her, a person would have thought I gave her diamonds. She cherished that doll and told me everytime she looked at it, she thought of me.

I continued seeing my friend and met some of hers, in the nursing home. One had a stoke, it was difficult for her to speak. When my friend showed her the doll, I knew she would loved to have one. Without telling my friend, I made another doll and brought it to the lady with the stroke. When I gave it to her, I saw an abundance of happiness shine in her eyes.

My friend became nursing home bound. Christmas morning, I made time to go and visit her, with presents and pastry for our tea. I heated two cups of water, placed two tea bags in the cups, then went to the table and gave her tea. I opened the box of Italian pastry and her eyes shined, as her fingers tried to decide which one to take. Then it was time to open her presents, she cried with joy and I remember her saying, "If I didn't have you, I wouldn't have a reason to live." She has gone from my life, but her memories live forever.