Cathy in the Wright

Nursing Home Tuesday

I think I may have to give up my volunteer work. Pet therapy at the nursing home isn't going to do much for my evil ratings.

Today Hoocher and I spent quite a bit of time with Mr. H. He's in the manor recovering from an illness. When I knocked on the door, he answered, "No one is home. Go away!" So I said, "Open up, dammit!" Well, I would have said that if I was 20% more evil. I'm working on it.

So I said, "Hey Mr. H.! Sorry to bother you. It's just Cathy and Hoocher; we'll catch up with you another day."

"Wait! Wait! Come in! Come in!"

So in we went. Hoocher jumped on the bed and put his head in Mr. H's lap. And Mr. H. talked and talked and talked. And when he started talking about his wife who died recently, he got a little choked up and so I held his hand. And he talked and talked some more. And when we finally got up to leave, he patted me on the arm and told me he was so glad I came to see him.

So I told him he was a montrous, boring old pain in the ass.

No. I didn't. (But that would have shot my evil rating up at least 41%)

I told him the pleasure was all on our side. And it was. Moments like those are what makes getting up early, dragging two cranky children out of bed, bathing a reluctant dog, bundling irritable children and a damp canine into the car, paying for daycare, and getting covered with geriatric spittle completely worthwhile.

But I hid his glasses on the way out the door.

Posted by Cathy at March 8, 2005 04:24 PM