and we have only just made our first visit back since
Finn asked me if we could go - so we did.
The night before, he packed his "packpack"
( as it's affectionately known as around here)
with "instruments" ( his harmonica, tambourine, keyboard, guitar)
- so that if they wanted him to -
he'd play to them while Lilly danced!
How could I resist?
It was just so great going back - good to see some familiar faces
and meet some new ones.
When we weren't greeted by "Stan" in his wheelchair as we entered the building - I feared the worst.
I worried how Finn would take it... so I checked with one of the nurses so that I was prepared in case he asked about him.
Sure enough after about 3/4 hour Finn tugged on my shirt and said, "But Mum - where's Stan today - do you think he's grumpy?"
I explained that Stan was in heaven now, that heaven was such a beautiful happy place full of love - that it was impossible for Stan to be grumpy any more...
Finn thought that was awesome and even told the Big Cheese that night at the dinner table. He said " Guess what Dad - Stan will never have to worry about being grumpy ever again cause he's in "heathen" now with Kramer and Molly" ( 2 pets)
While so many of the vintages have confused thought patterns and memory losses, some are stricken by cruel physical ailments that take over their once healthy bodies.
"Milly" suffers from Parkinson's but her mind seems unaffected.
Her opening words to me were "I thought you'd forgotten us - where is Ruby and Finn?"
I joked a response but it was like a knife through my heart.
We were sitting having a chat with "Dolly"
- one of our favourites
- and she was stringing random words together in sentences that made perfect sense to her in her poor muddled mind.
Finn waited til she finished
- nodding all the time as she was talking - like he "got it" -
then told Dolly that he was now 4 -
and held up 4 fingers.
In a moment of complete lucidity, Dolly held up her hand,
all fingers outstretched
and said
"5 soon?"
and Finn put his little hand up to hers - his palm facing towards hers!
Oh My!!! It was SUCH a precious and wonderful moment between 2 beautiful souls -
it touched me so!
It inspired me .
I asked some of the staff what the residents gave their families for Christmas...
after confirmation that they struggle with new ideas
I put forward my suggestion.
An idea was born.
I was so exited and inspired I couldn't wait.
Two days later I went back for another visit -
this time sans kids
( "Lillian" did ask where they were - quite concerned that I forgot them and left them somewhere all by themselves!)
I took photo "portraits" of the residents
(who had or gave permission to do so ) to give their families for Christmas.
I had such a fun morning - chatting, joking and laughing with the Vintages -
trying to get the essence of who they are or once had been in a snapshot.
I'd love to be able to share some of them with you -
however I can't due to privacy
( but have included one of "Dinga's" hands)
Their eyes and hands tell a thousand stories
and I hope I managed to capture that and do them justice.
I am looking forward to our next visit. Ruby wants to wear her "ballerina" outfit to show them - and I can't wait to see their faces
Danni xx
