9:30 am
In lounge, dressed with slippers, dozing in easy chair.
Recent haircut, shaven, skin clear without rash.
I touch his arm and he slowly awakes, then gives a quick smile. "Hi Bernie, How you doin?"
"Not too bad. How are you?"
The woman seated next to Bernie offers her chair and rises to her walker to take another easy chair at the other end of the room.
"Is Kathleen here?"I describe her being in Florida and then Boston to be with family. "Oh that's nice." He asks about our son, whom Bernie baptized 25 years ago, and I bring him up to date.
The room's quiet is broken by conversations between staff and a couple of chatty residents. Golf is on the TV and is ignored by all. Bernie dozes. His conversation is quicker and, while still whispered, is deliberate.
I talk about the news for a bit and he seems to understand, but was otherwise not familiar with the stories previously. I rest for a bit and he dozes between our conversation.
A forty-something son of another resident arrives with his 10-year daughter and the family dog to visit his mother. They chat and become the significant conversation for all to hear. In a minute Bernie opens his eyes and says, "Mangy little animal," he whispers. He cannot suppress a twinkle. "Do they have a BBQ grill here?"
"Yes, I think they do." "Would it fit?" "We'll have to see about that." And Bernie and I begin an irrepressible giggle, hoping no-one will notice. Soon he is dozing again.I ask about his foot and remind him it was swollen and sore a few weeks ago. "It is still a bit swollen, but doesn't hurt and I am told it is getting better." Hmmmm. This seems very aware and reasoned.
After a bit I tell him I'm going to check with the nurse and I'll be back. On the way I visit his room and see an attachment to the foot of his bed. It lifts the blanket about a foot up. I'm presuming to this be related to his improving foot.
I don't see any nurses at the station so I return to bid farewell.
I can't blame Bernie for dozing most of the time. He is peaceful and well cared for. I believe he is the beneficiary of prayer.
