A Visit ( update)


I am off to see Auntie Glad today, then I am working an  overtime night shift
Thought I would leave you this video to discuss 
Lovely as it is strangely moving
Enjoy! 

X
Postscript

Gladys was sat in the day room in a neat maroon dress.
Beads around her neck.
She was sat next to a silent yet cheerful looking woman with leg ulcers
and wasn't sure who I was until I said " it's Flower Show John! "
Only then did she clap her hands and then held onto mine without letting go.

The food was lovely, she reported, and she had seen her niece and Christine from the village. so wasn't short of visitors. She also made herself useful and had " done some washing up"

I told her that we needed to organise a flower show meeting in order to distribute funds around the village and she seemed happy that we intend to give the Church monies for new linens.
(There is no rush but I think we will try to have the meeting in the nursing home itself, for they seem a friendly bunch and holistic care seems one of their buzz words)

She asked about the Prof,  and about Derek and Heulwen from the Flower Show..oh and did the vicar know that she wasn't around for Church? I had to raise my voice so she could hear what I was saying, and I woke a gentleman sat opposite who gave me a dirty look.

I noticed that the panes of glass in the partition to the dining room were covered in a mass finger marks from slightly confused hands.

" Is my house alright?" She asked, just before I was about to go
" It's fine and neat and tidy as it always is" I told her.
" That's Good" she said with a smile.

70 comments:

  1. I want you to give her a hug from all of her blog friends!

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  2. Beautiful.
    I loved the shyness, the tenderness and then the look of genuine caring.
    That touched my heart deeply.
    Thank you, John

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  3. Why do I want them all to fall in love forever?
    So precious and tender and lovely.

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  4. Very sweet !
    This made me cry :) So sweet and tender and lovely.

    I also realized how long it has been since someone kissed me ..

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  5. What an amazing video. I am not ashamed to admit, it moved me to tears...thank you for sharing John!

    Love to Auntie Gladys too!

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  6. Kiss Auntie Glad for us!

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  7. I felt a bit like an intruder! Very best wishes to Aunty Glad; do tell her we all wish her well.

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  8. Awww.
    Give our best to Auntie Glad.

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  9. When you live alone, physical touch shared with a human for me is so missed. What I would give for someone to scratch my back and put my lavender lotion on it. I have my 3 cats and they fill me. Grandson's help too. Life is full! Aunty Glad, bless her! I eagerly await the report. We all love her too!

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  10. I've no doubt you'll let her know how widely and how much she's appreciated.

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  11. Give Gladys a big sloppy kiss from me please - but no tongues.

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  12. This is sweet!
    A hug for Antie Gladys.
    Greetings Maria x

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  13. What a lovely video, John! The music was just perfect. Humans being kind, gentle, loving and non-judgemental toward each other. It touched my heart. Hope Auntie Glad is starting to adjust to this new chapter in her life. A month or so ago I told you about my mother who just couldn't adjust to the nursing home. I hope Gladys is able to settle in and bring her light and joy to those around her! Gayle

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  14. I hope you and Gladys have a good catch up and she is content in her new home.
    The video is very moving. I like the way the people are so hesitant and by the end share a closeness. Interesting project !

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  15. Were they meeting for the first time in the video? Please tell Auntie Gladys that your blog followers are thinking about her and wishing her all the best in her new adventure! x

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  16. Bloggers meet for the first time. Filmed.

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  17. A lovely message in a cruel world ... sending Auntie Glad the same sentiments. XXXX

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  18. Anonymous8:02 am

    A big hug for Auntie Gladys!

    Love the video, there's nothing more tender than a first kiss.

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  19. Why do most of the men have beards?

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    Replies
    1. Because they look lovely

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    2. Can't agree there John. I like my men clean shaven and scrubbed clean. Not keen on the grubby or stubbled look

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  20. This has made me cry...and I've been trying hard not to cry for weeks. All the best to Auntie Gladys..x

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  21. All my best to Auntie Gladys. If it's ever deemed okay to send cards please let us know!

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    Replies
    1. I have asked the family to see if cards would be ok to send

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  22. Thanks for the update. Glad to hear she is well.

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  23. I wonder if she knows now that she will be staying there. Dear old soul.

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  24. Oh John, you break my heart. I was wondering how Auntie Glad was doing.

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  25. "Is my house alright?"
    God bless her.. I wish she was in her house now. I wish there was someone who could live in and let her stay where she belongs for as long as she's got. There is a lot to be said for just dying in your sleep, in your own bed, at home.

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  26. So glad you visited & she's doing well. I think your idea of the Flower Show meeting at the care home is splendid! S

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  27. So glad to hear that Auntie Glad is not distressed in her new home. And that video is charming!

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  28. Anonymous12:41 pm

    What is your impression, John, does she feel really comfortable? Does she know, she will not come back home? Good old Gladys.

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    1. I understand from he daughter that the final decision will be hers...we shall wait and see

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    2. Well that's better. I just hate it when all choice is taken away from people. Should be a last resort I'm thinking.

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    3. I also feel that way, at the end of our lives, to have to give up all that we had over the years is one thing but to give up our choices and wishes is truly terrible ( to me.)

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  29. Loved the film, gentle and kind. I wonder if Auntie Gladys knows? See if she is sitting in the same place next time you go, John. These homes vary so much, even with the best will in the world. I am sure she must have enjoyed your visit. Love Andie xxx

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  30. Thank you for both the film and the Auntie Gladys update. Kindness is very welcome.

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  31. Lovely video. God Bless Auntie Gladys. Keep her involved as much as you can. It will be good for her and the village.

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  32. OMG I was a gonner when the guy put the girls hand on his heart, so simple and perfect. Love the idea that Auntie Glad is "helping out" what a lovely lady x

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  33. Thank you for the update on Auntie Gladys. It all sounds lovely on the surface. A care home suits some temperaments perhaps but I would rather pull my hair out than be institutionalized.

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  34. Loved hearing about Auntie Glad.... It was good to hear her confusion seemed to clear up when she realized who you were.... I was hoping to hear a little more about your impression of the place... Is it a place you'd put your mom?? When my MIL went to a nursing home for recovery from surgery for a short stay one of the things i noticed the most was here you have a woman who is a little frail.. slightly confused mixed in with other patients who are really bad off... screaming etc... do you know what i mean?? anyway...thank you for the update.. i hope you'll go again.. i wonder if the relatives would like your opinion of the place??? Big Hugs! deb

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  35. I'm so pleased to hear of your visit It's 'early days' but it seems Gladys might be content there... oldies can do better when there are other people around, and a good rest home would be company for her. A friend's mother swore she wo uldnt go into care, but admitted after a few weeks that the company was better than waiting to see who might visit - sometimes a lonely day. I'd love to send her a card from New Zealand if the family agree to it.

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  36. Bless you, but your visit must have most surely pulled at your heart strings.x

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  37. If they have a kitchen in the home, maybe they would allow her to whip up some scones to share with the other residents. Might be a good ice breaker and she might feel more useful?

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  38. It must have been a wrench to leave her sat there, but what a brilliant idea to hold the flower show meeting there, I'm sure they will let you.

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  39. Thank you for sharing. Hugs all round.

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  40. It does sound as though she is beginning to settle in well John. I think there comes a time when it is a relief to have the pressure taken off - and probably she has reached that time.

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  41. Somehow I think that all of your readers think of Aunty Gladys as our own Aunt, so although she might not know it a lot of people care about her!

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  43. The list of American outlaws was long and scary - The Sundance Kid, Cherokee Bill, Butch Cassidy, The Apache Kid, Bonnie and Clyde and the most notorious of them all - Flower Show John!

    Nice to hear that Gladys is settling in and how splendid that you paid her a visit that lifted her spirits.

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  44. Thanks all for your comments. Your best wishes will be gratefully recieved by gladys family,
    I did wonder if any cards sent may confuse gladys, especially as she does not know anybloggers here and gladys' family agrees
    But the thought was lovely, thank you all again xxy

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    1. That does make alot of sense John... I think we all just feel a little helpless and want to help in some small way... Hugs! deb

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  45. The video to me was about taking the chance//risk. Imagine what would be missed if that first step to Joy wasn't taken.
    Thank you for visiting Aunt Gladys for us. We've come to know and love her through you.

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  46. Thank you for giving us news regarding Aunty Glad! I hope the nursing home allows Glad to feel useful again and gives her tasks so she remains moored to the present. I think having the flower show meeting there is brilliant!

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  47. Good to hear Auntie Gladys is doing as best she can. I am hoping those lone moments she spends by herself are not too difficult for her.
    Thanks for the update, John.

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  48. Bless her beautiful heart....❤️

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  49. Bless you and her!
    I've thought of her often, here, across the pond.

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  50. I wonder if Aunt glad knows she is internationally loved. Thank you for keeping us up to date xo

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  51. She is slipping a bit isn't she...Hope she has plenty of visitors o keep her spirits up. Bless her beautiful heart!

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  52. Scheduling an upcoming Flower Show meeting at the nursing home is a great idea. Gladys will love being included.
    Loved your visiting Gladys . . .
    I am sure it was the highlight of her day.

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  53. So happy she appears to be doing well, has visitors and company, and is still upbeat. . She's a trooper. And YOU are a sweetheart!

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  54. You write John in the most eloquent way. Im sure Gladys was glad you visited and that all is well for her home. Even having a moment of "alls well" in her mind will do good for her soul.

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  55. What a beautiful video John, thanks so much for sharing. It's easy to forget what magic a first kiss can be. Not enough love in the world.

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  56. What a beautiful video John, thanks so much for sharing. It's easy to forget what magic a first kiss can be. Not enough love in the world.

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  57. I was ok 'til she asked about her house. That brought tears. :(

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  58. Saint John...really!

    It would have been nice to have some context for the video. Did these people just meet? Did they have a choice of who they got to kiss? Did any marriages result?

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