It was a busy week for me as I took one day to fly to Virginia to get some business done. I will say I spent more time in airports than I actually did visiting any one. I had lunch with a few friends at my favorite restaurant though so all-in-all it was a good day. I did have a bit of guilt in not being able to touch base with so many others, but I know they understand. I must admit it felt weird going home that day, it felt like another world in many ways. I have a tendency to compartmentalize my life as a way for me to continue to function properly. When I was going back and forth every other month it made it easier. Have you felt this way?
Of course, being at the airport so long gave me plenty of opportunities to observe and study people (as well as read). I find life at airports so fascinating. I can make such good stories up in my head about people and their lives. For many, I can almost see the weight of the world on their shoulders as they trudge through. I will never know how people travel with small kids - I don't think I could have ever kept up. I always feel bad for many of the workers as they try to do their jobs and maintain good customer service. Again, not sure I could do that all day and deal with the people. I meet people all the time that either give positive energy or suck the energy out of everything and you can guess which ones are more exhausting. I definitely want to be around those that give positive energy. How about you?
My mom is pretty stable at the moment - which is a good thing. My dad is as well although he is really on this camping kick. He told me this morning to call and make reservations for July and to get all the details. As many of you know, I don't tent camp. He fully expects to go by himself or have my brother-in-law (who works) or nephew pop in. I'm a bit nervous about this whole thing....how do you explain that to a stubborn 82 year old who is legally blind and almost completely deaf! He told me he needs to get his fishing rods restrung so I need to get moving on that too. He won't listen and I realize he needs a getaway and wants to feel independent, but still......stay tuned for updates.
Funny story from the week. There is a man at the nursing home that is 86 years old. He firmly believes he is only about 60. When I ask him when he was born he says 1930. I then explain what year it is and we figure it out that he's 86...he still says no way! Then he asks how old I am and I say 58. He says NO WAY! With all that white hair you have to be older than that...you can not be younger than me! We all have a good laugh and move on to another subject. Yesterday, he caught a glimpse of the phone I clip to my pocket. I heard him tell his wife, "she's carrying, she has a gun!" His wife responded no she does not, what are you talking about? I heard him convinced that I had a gun and I was going to shoot him. I walked over and said I do not have a gun. I took out my phone and showed him the Otter box. He said OH that's a phone. I said yes, I have this on the outside because I'm such a klutz and I don't want to drop it. He and his wife laughed. This same man has been convinced over the past few weeks that the food and drink are full of poison and tries to dissuade everyone from eating and drinking. I am constantly fascinated by what comes out his mouth as well as others. Besides the history lessons that I learn from them all of these other thoughts are just fascinating.
I finished three books this week. Love, murder and mayhem were the themes, but they were good. I finished James Patterson, JD Robb and Nora Roberts. I'm now reading a thriller by an author I had not heard of previously. I ordered a bunch of books as I have not been able to get to the bookstore..no worries I still have another list I'm saving for when I do get to the bookstore. What are you reading for the summer?
I found out yesterday that three of the CNAs have been accepted into nursing school. Another one is on the waiting list for fall. Believe it or not I wrote three of them reference letters (one did not ask or I would have). I understand it's helpful to have letters from family members which I did not know when I wrote them. I told them I must see something in you and know about how you care or I would not have written such in-depth references. So proud of them.
I'm going to leave it here for today. I have some other items I'm thinking about for future blogs so if you have anything you would like me to discuss, just let me know. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." - Harriet Beecher Stowe
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." - Robert F. Kennedy
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start." - Nido Qubein
Referrals are always appreciated.