The Gift of Time - Day 4

[AtikokanAnnie]

Monday
Today's gift is the gift of time.  Its morning time and I mention to my dad my idea to visit Dorothy at the old folks home.  My dads first response is that I have a long drive ahead of me and we still had a few things to do.  I remind him how happy she was when we visited her last time.  He says, "Your right, even if we only go for a few minutes, we have the time".  I start this kind of slo-motion robot dancing in the kitchen, when he agrees.  He has the same look for me as he did when he encountered the box of swiffer replacements... utter confusion.  
Dorothy is in her 90's and was living on her own up until the end of June.  She was a lady that my mom would visit on her walk to the store.  My mom would pop in and see if she needed anything and would buy it and bring it to her house.  Well, Dorothy had a stroke late June and the family was worried about her living in her home alone.  Against her wishes she found herself in a small room in a home for the aged.  Her first reaction is that they moved her here to die. She wants to stay in her little house, that is familiar, where she can putter.  This was our conversation a few weeks ago.  This visit was still riddled with a slight dislike for not being in her home, but we heard about many good things too.  The food is really good, too good.  The workers are nice but some of the people who live here don't say hi back to her.  She eats at a table with three men that are not very talkative.  She reminds my dad that her phone number is the same and that she would like him to call her, to break up the monotony.  Then her next breath, she mentions the best time to call is between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm, because the keep her busy with different events.  We are happy to hear that she is taking part in the activities available.  We believe she is slowly warming up to the place.  We holds my hand the entire visit and hugs us on our way out.  She is almost in tears because she was so wonderstruck that we thought of her and came down just to see her.  She asks us to come again soon.  We tell her we will be back in a week.
I pray for Dorothy... For continued good health, that she finds some new friends and that she starts to think of the move as a new adventure instead a means to an end.
Tomorrow,   it will already be day four.  Pumped!!  I wonder who the lucky recipient will be?  Tomorrow is a work day and then I have to come home and clean/organize my house a bit before my dad comes in on Thursday.  Ooow, I like the challenge of the unknown as much as knowing the good deed in advance.  
I am grateful for my wonderful boyfriend who was home when I pulled in the driveway, knowing it is possible to be 91 years old and still have all my marbles, and for a safe and uneventful drive home.

[Dawn wwt]

i know your visit meant the world to Dorothy...so many people in homes for the elderly get few or no visitors and get very lonely. it sounds like she's got a good attitude and is coming to see her move as an adventure, as you say. that's a wonderful thing : )  my late step-Grandma was like that, always ready for the next new thing. i want to be like her when i grow up.

whatever your daily gifts turn out to be, you can add one more to your list: your daily blog post. you have a real knack for writing and it is so enjoyable to read about your days! Hugs, Dawn

[Deb~ Community Manager]

I know Dorothy is a happy Lady~ A very thoughtful day full of great gifts!

[Ann]

What a wonderful giving day this was!  That was so special of you to visit Dorothy.  Your gift of time and caring touched her heart.  You are giving very caring gifts and I love reading your blog posts.  Have a great week -- and remember while you are spreading so much caing and giving around --- be good to you too!

[Lois55 wwt]

Your day was another successful day of wonderful giving and receiving. I know Dorothy must have had a smile on her face all day because of you and your Dad's visit:)