SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
As time wore on, and Fred became more active, I decided it would be good for both of us to take him “out” of the facility for lunch. I had to plan it each day ahead, as the kitchen sent out a menu for the next day’s meals. It meant getting him in the car, then collapsing the wheelchair and putting it in the trunk of the car, then reverse it when we returned. But it was totally worth it. He did so enjoy getting out.
One day as Fred and I returned from a lunch out, I saw a pair of sandhill cranes by the front door of the facility. Amazing! I sent these pictures to our family and friends, and one friend asked, “did you ask permission to enter??” I mentioned the cranes to a couple we see frequently, and he said they’ve been hanging around for the three years that couple had been there. Wow!
Now let me tell you about some of the residents I’ve really interacted with:
The Hat Lady…I noticed her right away, as she is always wearing a hat – at first it was a crochet hat. That caught my attention, and I asked her if she had crocheted it herself. She grinned and said no, but I complimented her anyway. Then it got to when I was to walking down the hall and seeing her, would say “there’s my favorite hat lady!” She would grin at me. And as the weather became warmer, she started wearing other hats, usually one with a brim that looks like a leopard skin. One day I said, “I’ve been calling you Hat Lady, but I don’t know your name.” She looked up at me and said “Virine” (she pronounced it Vi – REEN). So I alternate between Hat Lady and Virine. She must come from the islands, because she loves to sit outside even in Florida’s hot summer sun – wearing that brimmed hat and a sweater over her dress.
There are two or three ladies who are permanently in wheel chairs, residents, who take the time to brush their hair and put on makeup each day. I admire them. They are quite friendly, and we have struck up quite a few conversations with them. Two are roommates and are best buddies. One, Diane, has been there 10 years, following the death of her husband. She shared with me that when he began to get into dementia, they went looking for a facility for him, as she couldn’t care for him. At the one where he eventually stayed, as they were leaving, he said, “Di, I really like this place. Can I stay?” She said she knew they were at the right place. As for her… as she said…this is home.
And then there is a lady – one who makes up herself each day – who I am convinced wears a wig, because her hair is long and quite black, and she wears a turban-like head covering each day. It took me over a month to get her to smile back at me, but now she does. One funny incident with her…I was walking past her room one day, when she was in bed and I heard her call “purple….purple….I need to blow my nose!!” I had to laugh at that one – calling a CNA to blow her nose – because I’ve seen her up and walking!
Carol is there for her husband, who is a resident. He is unable to walk, always in a wheelchair. She is there daily, and reads to him. He must wear a head-set, and she speaks through a microphone so he can hear her.
~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
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