NURSE GAIL'S GOT THE SPIRIT

 One of the people I will miss seeing this holiday season is Nurse Gail. She is one of the best nurses around and embodies all the qualities that make up a good nurse.

Kindness

Empathy

A calming presence

She's never short-tempered

She treats her residents with dignity and respect

She listens

She cares

Nurse Gail also embodies another important quality:

The Spirit of Christmas

She loves making people happy. One way she does this is by dressing up in costumes. If it lights up, blinks, or glitters, Gail will be wearing it.

The last Halloween I visited the nursing home Gail wore my two favorite costumes Imagine this. A  happy hippo sporting a pink tutu walking up to you and dancing alongside your powerchair. i laughed for a full five minutes. My other favorite costume for Gail's Halloween was her pink unicorn costume. She was so cute.

Whenever Sterling or DJ Ron entertained at Happy Hour, Gail would be dancing either by herself or with the residents. Her spirit of fun and enthusiasm was/is infectious. She knows how to party.

The photo in this post was taken at  Mardi Gras 2020. I had no idea it would be the last time I'd visit the nursing home this year. Nurse Gail put those glasses on me. I couldn't see. That was okay.

I am sad that I won't get to see Nurse Gail's Christmas costume this year. Whatever it is I know it will be full of glitz, glam, and fun.

The spirit of Christmas is joy and love, Nurse Gail's got the spirit. Not only at Christmas but the whole year through

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MASK UP

 I watched this video on CNN's website.

 https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/11/26/icu-nurse-how-it-started-how-its-going-coronavirus-pandemic-nr-bts-vpx.cnn 

A young ICU nurse posted photos of herself online. One at the beginning of her 12-hour shift, another at the end of her 12-hour shift. The difference between the two photos was shocking.

The effects of wearing a mask for 12 hours were visible on her face. She endured online harassment for posting the photos, for trying to let people know what her job is like. Not having enough resources. Watching patients die. Being powerless. Knowing there is nothing she can do.

One question kept running through my mind as I watched the video. WHO WILL NURSE THE NURSES? Who will make sure that they are not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually okay?  Do people even care?

After the Thanksgiving weekend, the number of Covid cases will rise. Why? Because people do not believe COVID is real. People don't believe it can happen to them. People are selfish. The mandated guidelines do not apply to them.

These are the same people who'll apologize profusely when they get the virus and through their selfishness spread it to other people. They are also the same people who'll welcome the care of a nurse as they fight the virus.

Nurses worked hard before COVID. I can't imagine how tired they must be as the pandemic continues. They put their lives at risk every day and the lives of their families too. Think about it.

Don't be an ass. Wear a mask.

HAPPY (COVID) THANKSGIVING

The governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency. He issued a mask mandate until March as hospitalizations due to COVID continue to rise.

At this time last year, I was looking forward to having a Thanksgiving feast with my friends at NHC. Delicious food shared with good friends combined with conversation and laughter. There is nothing better. I even wore a turkey hat. Only Tina from the activities department could get me to do that.

Thanksgiving 2020. There is no feast at NHC. Not for the public anyway. I hope there is a feast for the staff and the residents. Maybe a little wine too? I want my friends to know how much I miss them. Hopefully, by Thanksgiving 2021, we'll be able to celebrate together again.

I won't be celebrating with my family, but I will have one of our traditional Thanksgiving casseroles. My sister-in-law is making my mom's carrot casserole and shipping it to me again this year. There are so many memories attached to that dish. I will have my family with me when I eat it on Thanksgiving. I won't feel as lonely. I want to thank my sister-in-for for taking the time to make the casserole. She makes my mom proud every year.

Thanksgiving will be quiet. I will spend the day watching movies. Watching movies is a way for me not to feel alone. I can get lost in a story. Movies bring me comfort. A shot of Fireball will make the day better too.

I want to thank the staff for sacrificing time with their families to ensure my housemates and I have a good Thanksgiving. I am grateful.

Even with Covid restrictions, there is still so much to be grateful for. My family and a  carrot casserole.

I wish you all a safe and HappyThanksgiving.

What a turkey!

GIVE A LITTLE PIECE OF YOUR HEART

When I was six I gave my nursery school my Patti Playpal doll. It was a big deal if you were lucky enough to be given one. 

The doll was as tall as a four-year-old.  Mine was dressed in a blue party dress. She wore ankle socks and black patent leather shoes. Her hair was in pigtails.  My mom begged me not to give her away. I did it anyway.

When my mom asked me why I wanted to give my doll to the nursery school, I was trying to remember my answer. It was probably as simple as because I wanted to. 

In my teens a friend and her little girl came to visit, I gave her my handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. I could see how much she loved them.

I've given my nieces a lot of my things just because I could see how much they liked them. Seeing the joy on their faces was the best gift I could have received.

All of us have too much stuff. People say regifting is tacky. I disagree.  Giving someone something of yours that has given you joy and made you happy is like giving them a little piece of your heart. A little piece of yourself.

Our holidays will be different this year. 2020 might be the perfect year to give someone a gift that has special meaning for you. You may give a material thing away, but you are not giving away your memories.

I love shopping. I am not saying don't shop for gifts. We may not be able to be with friends and family, this year. Think about giving them a special memory. Consider giving them a little piece of your heart.

May you have peace. May you have joy. May you have love this holiday season.

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

The winds of change are blowing.

Can you feel them>

Love and compassion are replacing hate and selfishness.

A bully never wins.

The winds of change are blowing.

Can you feel them?

No more mocking.

No more ridicule.

Acceptance.

Inclusion

Diversity celebrated. 

The winds of change are blowing.

Can you feel them?

No more fake news.

Only facts.

The winds of change are blowing.

Can you feel them?

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. 

The first woman of color to hold the office.

She won't be the last.

Girl power to the max.

The winds of change are.blowing.

Can you Feel them

No more walls.

No more cages.

Everyone will be welcome.

Everyone deserves a chance.

The winds of change are blowing.

Can you feel them?

.Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will heal the soul of America.

They will make us proud.

They will run the government for all the people.

Not for their own interests.

The winds of change are blowing.

Can you feel them?

Fear and despair are gone.

Hope and excitement abound.

The winds of change are blowing.

Get ready...

January 20th, 2021 

 “No, the purpose of our politics, the work of our nation, isn’t to fan the flames of conflict, but to solve problems, to guarantee justice, to give everybody a fair shot.” - President-elect Joe Biden

"To the American people—no matter who you voted for—I will strive to be a Vice President like Joe Biden was to President Barack Obama: loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your families." - Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

THE PANDEMIC....GOD'S PEP TALK

 God: I know you feel like you're living in a box. The government said two weeks in March. It's been eight months. You wonder if your life will ever be normal again.

Masks are difficult for you to wear. The mask slides down leaving your nose exposed. You find it even more difficult to be understood wearing a mask.  A mask is uncomfortable for you to wear. You are not alone. Masks are uncomfortable for everyone. 

I know that you are unhappy with your current living situation. You are stressed.  Sometimes the pressure becomes too much. You become confused... There have been times when your memory has failed you. Do not be afraid. It's just stress. The pandemic has only intensified your stress. 

Nighttime is the most stressful. You need assistance. You do not mean to disturb anyone when you try to get the assistance you need, but you do.  You want to move to a facility. Unfortunately, you can't right now. You want peace. You want your housemates to be at peace as well.

There are some positives in all of this.

You are safe from Covid-19\

You have family and friends who keep in contact with you.

The group home is allowing you to have visitors wearing a mask and social distancing.

 Be thankful.

The holidays will be different for you this year. You'll miss your friends and family more than ever. Be strong. Be happy. You are not alone. I will be with you.

Give your stress and worries to me.

I've got this.