Just a few lines to let you know my thoughts. I hadn’t seen you cry in a long time. I felt so badly for you last Monday I could’ve died right here. I didn’t want you to feel bad. You or Marian. Now that about a week has passed, I want to share my thoughts with you.
Of course, when you first mentioned nursing home, I got jittery. I don’t know why. I suppose it’s only natural, but I see now there was no reason to get that way. I can tell you, Willie, that I’m very happy at the moment. Not one abuse of the kind that I’d heard about over the years on the news has occurred here. All the staff have been just great and dutiful. I love my own bright and colorful room and have even made some friends up and down my corridor. My best friend is Wanda Sikes. We tell each other about our pasts as well as tell stories and just laugh—both of us. You’d think we were schoolgirls. Yes, at eighty-odd! Speaking of schoolgirls, Wanda has a handsome man in the room next to hers. Lucky gal! He’s still single so I make sure I speak to him every day too. (free country) How his old face lights up! Wish you could see it.
Oh Willie, I’m so excited about Sunday. Can’t wait to see you, Marian, and those growing girls. Sometimes I can’t believe you’ve promised to come visit me every single week! It so assures me. If my Willie says he’s going to do something, watch out! He always comes through!
I’ll let you go Willie. Rhonda, the assistant on my floor, has promised to email this to you. Oh Willie, do you know? Once I left you in a place too! Do you remember your preschool? How you cried and how my heart just broke. But in a short time they were saying how you played and played and nearly took charge of the place! That’s what I’m going to do here, Willie. Take charge!
I love you as always Willie. How blessed I am you’re my son. And forgive my shaky hand today.
Your mother,
Helena
Author’s note: Isn’t this the way it should be in our America? I once had a friend in real life very much like Helena. Let’s not forget: attitude is everything!
I have also seen this kind of attitude in some people in nursing homes. It is humbling to say the least. I like the letter format you used here to express a character. Very good.
In the old days the old folk went on living with the family around.
Maybe progress came with better things that we can plug or kick-start but none of those things will help those old folks in a home full of attetatives strangers who aren't kin.
But that's progress to you, use and throw away and get a new one, sadly, parents can be use only one, so, I think no one his getting new ones now that the old folk are sitting and waiting for God.
Georg
Reviewed by Todd-Michael St. Pierre
9/17/2007
Well written, but I tell ya, they take me fighting, I worked in one of those places for 2 years, and although I know they aren't ALL bad, I saw enough to know that they are very often outa-sight, outa mind places where we put the out-2-pasture until they die. Just how I feel from my own detailed observances. Great job Randall!
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