Photo by: Victor-Daniel-Giraldo
As an Alzheimer's/Dementia companion aide, I marvel at the way those I serve fill their days with predictable, simple pleasures. Time gently guides them along, even when the word clock evades them. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants and super-size my helpings, so I’ve benefited from pacing myself to the way our seniors run their race with fiercely guarded routines and carefully measured portions.
JD, one of my favorite 90+ year-olds, ate and drank the same things, at the same time, every single day. Lunch (served at high noon) consisted of half a sandwich, a cup of soup, a handful of oyster crackers and four, bright orange, cheese/peanut butter crackers. After lunch he ate one piece of milk chocolate Gertrude Hawk candy. At 3:00 pm he delighted his taste buds once again with a glass of cold milk and a cookie. 5:00 pm promised a special (and carefully measured) reward of its own, AKA “Sippy Time” (wink, wink, cheers).
But then there were those rare moments when JD threw caution to the wind, lived large, and veered from his rigid routine. Like the day I’d replaced his favorite slacks with a similar pair, only two inches larger around the waist. I couldn’t help noticing how pleased he seemed when he was able to button them effortlessly that morning. Later, we went out for lunch, and when his favorite waitress asked him if he was having “his usual” we were both surprised by his reply, “I’ll have a whole sandwich today.” After she left to get our orders, he leaned forward and whispered that he must’ve lost a couple of pounds so he thought he could afford to eat an entire BLT that day. I grinned.
JD, I sure do miss you! You taught me so much about golf, and tennis, and bone fishing...but most of all I want to thank you for passing on the lost art of participating in some of life’s simplest pleasures.
I'm forever grateful. ~mk
I'm forever grateful. ~mk
Frank Sinatra Sings My Way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2hYDIFDIU
