Lighter Moments

Lighter Moments-Even though the last 31+ years have been fraught
with tedium, frustration, loneliness and all manner of not-so-pleasant 
feelings,
there have been some lighter moments as well. Today, I would like to focus
on them rather than dwelling on all the negatives in my current situation.

l often let you know just how dreary life in Long-term care is but it does
have it's lighter moments too. I joke around with the nurses a lot. To be
honest, at times, we get downright silly. But I know that the joking around with
the nurses is helping me to cope with a very "challenging" situation. I
suspect that it helps the nurses as well. They don't have an easy job so it
is probably refreshing for them to take a few minutes to just be silly.
Watching the elderly at mealtimes can also make me laugh. At times, they can
be like little kids. I don't mean that in a demeaning sort of way. Just
that, at times, some of the things they do and say can be just as hilarious
as little kids. I love little kids because they are so genuine and will say
whatever pops into their heads. At times, elderly people can be the same.

There have also been lighter moments for me at church. Maybe not so much
lately as I am feeling so fatigued. But I have had plenty of lighter moments
in church in the past. Especially times when the Holy Spirit came over me
and I couldn’t stop laughing. It is pretty hard to feel down and discouraged
when laughing uncontrollably. Even now, the pastor will often say something
that makes me laugh, no matter how I am feeling. It is so good to be in a
church where we are free to laugh out loud .

Over the years, I have been able to go on other outings that have helped to 
lighten up my day-to-day life. One thing that meant a lot to me was being 
able to go to the high school graduation for both of my kids, although that 
was some ago. Thankfully, at the time, they were living here with their 
dad. Over the years, there have been weddings, baby showers and other events 
to go to which brighten up my days. I also like to go out to eat. I am sure 
people stare but I don't even notice because it is such a treat for me 
not to have to eat hospital food. Another treat is when I can be away from 
the Long-term care for a night or two. I have had sleepovers with my 
"adopted" family which was wonderful. I am so grateful for the people who 
made it possible. Definitely not a time to be down in the dumps! I have also 
been able to go to Edmonton 2-3 times to see my grandson. When you don't 
have a lot in your life to be excited about, a trip to Edmonton and sleeping 
in a hotel is pretty exciting. Add to that a couple of day trips to 
Lloydminster and you can see that I do get a few breaks from the tedium of 
Long-term care.

No matter how miserable I am feeling, one thing that can always make me 
smile are my grandkids. Unfortunately, my real grandson doesn't live here so 
I don't get to see him in person but it always makes me smile to visit with 
him and watch him play via skype or facetime. But I do get to see my adopted 
grandkids frequently. And they never cease to bring a smile to my face. 
Especially when they are crawling all over me.

It is true that my day-to-day life is not a whole lot of fun but it also 
would be a lie say that there are no lighter, brighter moments.