Where are you?

People keep sending me messages with the question"Where are you now?" Even the webmaster of this website asked me that question, wondering why I did not post a new blog recently.

"Don't go grocery shopping when hungry" is a well known advise. And similar to me: "Don't write un update for your (travel)blog after a diffecult and emotional day at work". Nevertheless I found myself behind the laptop last week, writing about my days work. When I was half way through I realised that it wasn't fun to read.I could not post it, because it would not do the place I am working or the work I do any justice. You would all get the impression that working with the eldery and with the semi-eldery with dementia is all about losing and that everyday is a very sad one, but that isn't so. So I will try again, this time starting with something nice to write about.
I will start with a story about the disco we went to yesterday. In the morning I ran into a colleague from the 4th floor who invited the people from our floor to the disco that afternoon. People who know me well do know that I am not a great dancer and am not a big fan of discos at all, but in the line of duty and with the age of my dance partner in mind he and I went on our way. My dance partner, a German 60 something man with dementia carefully placed one foot for the other while walking through the corridor and into the elevator. When stepping onto the ward, the Rock and Roll music and colorful (lava)lights welcomed us. And there he went..clapping his hands, moving his body like a (slightly stiff) teenager and with a broad smile on his face. It was a beautiful sight and made us all laugh. Between every dance he needed to sit down or took a ususal restless walk up and down the corridor, while telling me about something he used to do when he was young. It was a great hour and made my day.. This friendly man can be very very sad at times. In those moments in which he remembers less nice things from when he was still young, tears really stream down his face. But yesterday, at least that hour, he was feeling great with happy thoughts, a great story and a body that coöperated just long enough to do a twist or two.

Back at our floor I ran into several people before I could go home...which is one of the reasons I am always later than planned. When a person takes your hand and starts talking about how they worry about their kids safety or about the day they realised their husband could not take care of them anymore at home..I cannot tell them: "Sorry my shift is over..see you tomorrow" That doesn't work for me, so most of the time I sit for a while and try to figure out what they're talking about or just sit with them till they feel better again.

Yesterday was a strange day..with laughter during dancing, but sad as well when I realised that one of the eldery people I take a liking to is about to die. Sat with her for a while, holding hands, hoping ( selfishly) that she would still be there the day after tomorrow. It's diffecult to let go, eventhough for some it is better to go.

Back to another more cheerfull story to end the blog for now. In my firts week at this old age home I joined a group of people to their weekly activity which was called Movements and Music. There I was introduced to a new sport..balloon tennis. With a bit of creativity and a piece of pipe thermal insulation they made nice soft harmless tennisrackets. A bright colored balloon replaced a small tennisball and they games could begin. It was so much fun and so I introduced this activity on our floor as well and now weekly we play this kind of tennis. We place wheelchair and normal chair in a cirkel and everybody (except activity counselors and volunteers who function as ball boys) is sitting in either a wheelchair or normal chair and then we start. Some gently pass the balloon to their neighbour, while other obviously missed the opportunity to become a professional tennis player and hit the balloon with force. It is a nice activity and even the people who can hardly move a muscle, let alone hold a racket and hit a ball, participate. They follow the balloon with their eyes and when it is within their reach they might make a movement, with fingertips, their head or a foot. It is a easy game, but fun. Last week this old lady of 92, who at times sleeps a lot during the day, participated in the game. She was so much fun and being so over the top dramatic that all the others had to laugh as well. She herself had tears in her eyes and had to stop for a second to catch her breath. It was fun and these moments really make my day.

Well, again a long story without mentioning future plans that include new travels. Shall keep those for next time...am busy making plans, but no fixed plans yet.

Hope you are all well and since it is almost summer and people will go on vacation i wish you a nice summer and a great holiday. Safe travels and keep in touch. Vayas bien,
Rebecca