How to create a memorial among people who have some forgetfulness and no common language? This has been my question for years. How to remember a person when you do not remember a person? For the last months I have been reading Francis Weller’s, THE WILD EDGE OF SORROW, after attending an intense one day … Continue reading
Author Archives: 0dile
Dominoes
“Domino, Domino, Le printemps chante en moi Dominique Domino, Domino, J’ai le cœur comme une boite à musique J’ai besoin de toi, De tes mains sur moi, Domino, Domino, J’ai besoin d’être aimé Domino.” Singing that famous French waltz, I open the shoe box. I pull out the tiles and lay them randomly on the … Continue reading
SAFETY
“Call Security! She is hitting us!” Nicole, behind her walker, is zooming through the hallway, surrounded by nursing staff. She speaks in a language we don’t understand well. Framed by her short silvery hair, her face is serious, focused. Her walker went straight into the nursing assistant who was trying to redirect her. A few … Continue reading
ABOUT THE MOTHER
This 2017 post continues my 2015 post I NEED TO SEE MY MOTHER. If you have not read it, or forgot, you might want to go there first https://soul2soul-seniors.com/2015/07/02/i-need-to-see-my-mother/ 5:30PM, I am entering the activity room to start my evening program. Dinner is barely finished. The tables are getting cleared. Among the noises and motions … Continue reading
SPEAKING TO HERSELF
“–Pauline looks better today. –Yes, she is speaking non-stop, to herself. – I noticed that. She does it often, even when surrounded by people and activities. What does she say? –She talks about her house, her things. That she has a lot of gold and diamond jewelry. In reality she had some, but not that … Continue reading
THE HIDDEN RESTRAINT
The following story comes from Heather Luth, the Dementia Program Coordinator for Schlegel Villages in Ontario, Canada. It was quoted in a post by by Dr. Al Power, http://changingaging.org/dementia/the-hidden-restraint-part-4/ I encourage you to read the 4 parts of this beautiful post. Dr. Power’s and the Changing Aging team have been bringing me hope and strength, … Continue reading
ONE LAST JUMP
“TEN-NINE-EIGHT-SEVEN-SIX-FIVE-FOUR-THREE-TWO-ONE-ZEROOOOOO” Holding hands, forming a large circle, we all jump into the German skies. We enjoy floating together weightless before the rude contact with the ground. “BOUM!” “Anybody speaks German?” Nope. It does not seem to matter, we did it. Marty is beaming. It all started when I walked inside the circle of a dozen … Continue reading
You are my princess
“You are my princess. I am your prince charming. I come to wake you up.” Clara’s lips stretch into a soft smile. It is eleven in the morning. All dressed up, she is sleeping on top of her bed. She likes to be there during the day, lying on her back with abandon. “Clara, come … Continue reading
DO YOU SPEAK GREEK?
“Do you speak Greek? –No I don’t. What are you looking for? –I wanted to see Mrs. D., but I don’t understand what she says. It is all in Greek. –Mrs. D.? She speaks very good English. Let me introduce you.” We turn towards Mrs. D. who is seated at a big table. While walking … Continue reading
STAND BY ME
D-O-R-A- P-I-R-I-V-I-D-A-N-Y-I I am writing slowly on the little white board, hanging on the wall of the day room. I check if all the letters are there, even size in a straight line. I don’t want to make a mistake. I don’t want somebody to think I did not care; that I did not love … Continue reading
Soul2Soul Seniors 