they didn’t have to go out to be fit and I had them delivered the day of the ball. The entire staff was on board with my latest dose of crazy and the chef made a candlelight dinner at my urging at 5p.m so we would have more time for the ball. I hired a background piano player for the dinner which they enjoyed immensely. We invited their children and as the residents strolled into dinner it was a site to see. Many of the children were fully dressed for the occasion and delighted in seeing their 90 year old parent all gussied up with eyes sparkling like they were teens one last time. My elderly gents in rented tuxes and many in vintage ones with hair promenade slicking down their few sparse locks. My lipstick generations ladies were showing off upswept hair with glittering jewels, and painted nails and many looked like they stepped out of a club in the 1940’s. They donned frocks from time gone by and modern dresses right out of fashion magazines. We dined and then adjourned to ball room and the band played the music of the swing and big band era and the residents filled the dance floor. Many of the ladies dance with each other and we had 84 gals of my 155 residents. All the gents had their dance cards full and many of the residents’ children stayed and danced the night away. The band took requests and at intermission we had punch and cookies served by Cinderella herself and I had not only found a big fluffy blue dress but clear sparkling glass slippers. I watched with tears slipping down my cheeks as those who couldn’t dance sat on sofas around the dance floor taping canes in feet in their gowns. I had many dances and we had several couples who had been married over 60years who could still do unique swing dancing from time gone by and I felt swept up in the nostalgia as my couple who had been married 67 years requested stardust and took their one magical turn on the floor as this was great effort for a 91 and 93 old respectively. I had conned a photographer to take the photos in the pumpkin carriage and I don’t think one person missed their chance to sit in the pumpkin carriage and smile for the camera. As midnight approached and our grandfather clock began to bong the chimes to midnight and the band played its last number and the light were all down except spotlights for safety along the floor and the spider web of twinkle lights from above shone down and the floor was crowded with everyone even those who sat out the early rounds were up and Molly out on the floor in her electric chair. I listened to the clock chime as I counted 9, 10, 11, and 12 bongs announcing midnight and I felt like Cinderella and my prince was watching all those aging feet swirling on the floor. My glass slippers were filled with love as I thanked everyone and the ball was over. Tired feet in glittering garb dispersed to their apartments as the crew and I began the massive cleanup and the chef giggled realizing a lot of people wouldn’t be coming to 8a.m breakfast. The love that filled that room if harnessed could become a powerful force for change if we only looked at not what elderly people couldn’t do but dreamed of what they could do.
So my perfect recipe for success was my sense of humor that adapted as I went along in the experiences. My knowledge of their challenges of geriatric aging fueled my desire to find ways to make all things possible. Most significantly my absolute love of the job and my love for them made it all possible. My residents would tell you there is a forth element a little touch of crazy in the mix and of course I value their opinion so I add it here for them. They constantly thanked me for all the joy and fun I brought to their lives at the Village but I always received far more than I gave as I shared their lives, their knowledge, their history and I truly believe they are the “Greatest Generation.” The courage that they gave me lives on as they are passing on and I will continue to share their stories as they have become part of mine.
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Of course, any English teacher's reaction on first seeing this is: "FIVE grafs????"
ReplyDeleteThat's a way of doubting that the student can control so much material, maintain tone, keep from straying into side issues, lose the thread.
But, after reading it, I see you have really avoided all the problems I list. Certainly those five grafs could logically break into 20 or 30 shorter ones, but there is no real problem with structure here at all. Clearly all the material within each megagraf belongs where it is and is in order and the detail, although detailed, stays just this side of being too detailed.
So, good on you!