Inner Peace, Please

Tuesday, April 23 4pm
Nazareth House, Lounge Room
Dressed, in easy chair, dozing

I sit down next to Bernie and wait for a minute. He stirs and I say, "Hi Bernie."  "Oh, how long have you been here." "Just a minute." "How are you?" "Not too bad."

Bernie sits in the lounge amid about thirty easy chairs, large fireplace, and big TV.  Most have already moved from the lounge to the dinning room, adjacent.  We chat for a bit.

Bernie is happy to be at Nazareth, but is still a bit confused.  I ask about the food, and he says he hasn't had any yet. I ask about his new room and he can't describe it or give his reaction to it.

We sit for a bit and he trembles.  "What is it Bernie?" "Oh, Dear God. Oh, Dear God. Oh, Dear God." "What would you like Bernie?" "Inner peace."  I hold his hand for a minute and he calms.  "Bernie you don't have to worry. You don't have to be anywhere. You don't have anything overdue." He settles. "Oh good."

A helper comes by with a walker and they both head off to dinner. I left before I could get a full menu but I saw a green salad with croutons and slices of turkey to start.