1) A wedding of a resident's daughter, the date quickly moved up. Hours pass while the twenty or so guests wait on the lawn, darkness comes, rain clouds appear. At last, after much care by the staff, Mother is wheeled out, outfitted with wig, a chiffony lavender dress, high heels. I shiver. But the bride and her other daughter are beaming, and Mother tells her daughter she looks lovely, and I take Rich's hand and tell him we probably should have celebrated more.
What was there to celebrate, he says.
2) President Obama is on the television screen, giving his health care speech, while we are in the Hospice living room. Rich is in his chair, wanting to see this; Natasha the housekeeper is leaning next to me on the sofa, and John the aide has taken off his new sneakers and is rubbing his feet.
In Russia, says Natasha, everybody gets care. You understand? Everybody!
I do.
You need a hot soak for your feet, I tell John.
He isn't listening. He's waiting to hear if he can get health coverage while working full time as a musician. If he can, he will leave this job.
John gives Rich a shave without being asked, brings blankets before Rich starts shivering, and always gives me a hug and tells me to take care of myself.
For the moment, I've become a Republican. Screw care. I want John to stay.
3) Sarah offers me use of her kayak, any time. She's the Thursday dinner volunteer, and I linger in the kitchen, stirring ice cubes into Rich's hot cocoa. He's not alone, so I don't rush; friends are visiting and they're laughing and even if Rich is not, smiles are more therapeutic than tears. We talk about a lake trip together, maybe next spring. "We" is Sarah and I.
A week of new lives beginning, for the bride and the immigrant, maybe for John, slowly for me, and all the way for Rich.
Something to celebrate, for all.
Candace
1 comment:
So much life, so much scene, in these few words. Thank you! I can picture sitting on the sofa with you. Big warm hugs from Germany, Heather
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