Typical Dinner at Breck

I went to see Linda tonight, she was her usual happy self, although Bonnie said she had been crying just a few minutes before I got there. She has storms that pass over, and we need to cajole her out of them. She was chowing down on broccoli and noodles. She always said she hated broccoli, but she seems perfectly happy with it these days. Had my usual jovial conversation with Madeline, who is Martin's wife. I tease her about her big black SUV -- she just traded the old one in for a new one, looks to me like they just washed the old one and sold it back to her! Then Iesha came by, another loving caregiver who usually works at the other Breck Home next door. She hugged and kissed everyone in the room -- she had sparkles on, ready to go out with her girlfriends for sushi. After dinner, I got Linda up from her chair. This is always the Moment of Suspense: will she get up on her own, or do we have to pick her up? Tonight I was extremely slow and patient, and she eased forward and stood up -- a triumph! Then the long walk (15 feet) to the living room, with one stop to rest and one stop to dance. I put on the classical station, and Linda sat listening, closing her eyes and humming. She lives in the music. Charlie, another resident, joined us. He just changed rooms, and his TV is not working yet -- bummer -- but he likes the music too. Charlie has Parkinson's, he is lucid but very quiet, you have to lean very close to hear him, but it is always worth the effort.