Cherokee Lake in Thomasville, Georgia, from Google images. (I was there for an exercise walk and didn't take my camera.)- A Sunday morning sunrise walk around Cherokee Lake; just me and a couple walking a large black poodle are there at first. Around the lake, a man wearing a cap denoting an airborne division he was a member of long ago, sits on a bench meditating or praying. He smiles and nods as I go by.
- A silent man stands on the footbridge over the lake twirling white loaf bread into the water for the wild ducks. Much splashing and excitement down below. A lone domestic duck stands next to the water, watching. "You're missing out!" I whisper to it as I go by.
- A black cat with white face markings watches warily from under a nearby tree and runs away, fast as lightning, when I get too close.
Back at the assisted living facility, a smiling group sits on the front porch in rocking chairs chatting before breakfast. Within five minutes, they get my entire story out of me. I feel a bit like a celebrity as I go inside to see if my mother is ready for the day.
17 comments:
Sometimes its the little things that can often brighten a person's day.
You got to be the little thing that helped brighten lots of person's days.
I especially like your last comment Lynn, about visiting your Mother...!
How sweet is that :--)
Lynn~ When I was a (much) younger women just out of college with my B.S. in Psych...I worked at a facility for the "mentally retarded" (that was the term employed then...)
The story "Leona" is a true story from my work at a very difficult place to stay in (working.) It was a little bit like a, well...house of horrors... so to speak. 'Leona' was an older white haired resident there who was a rather large women in her early 50's, she was also nonverbal, could be "combative;" as many were...and her life (how she got to that place to live)and the 'state' she was in...was an absolute mystery to me. I loved her though...(I was first learning to really care for others who were found in, let's say...more 'unfortunate' circumstance;)and tried to help her as I worked there (as much as I could) as a young (and frankly, quite inexperienced person.) My degree earned me the title of "Wing Supervisor;' which was actually a bit frightening undertaking of sorts for a new grad....(given the severely damaged type of resident one found at that time in such a facility.) I shortly went on to earn another degree in Occupational Therapy, and returned to the 'helping' field with a bit more in my arsenal. Hope that helps :-)
lg! (no worry :-))
Sorry for the rather long post!
Sounds like a delightful walk with some really neat company. :)
You ARE a celebrity to so many of us, Dear Lynn, loved by all.
Yes, cats do that, don't they? A very rare one will actually approach. I like cats!!
Beautiful lake, almost as nice a photo as you would take.
xoxo
I love feeding bread to ducks and geese! I don't indulge much because people take exception to the bird poop they create, but it sure is fun to watch them honk and jostle.
G -
That's nice of you to say. I enjoy all the people there. They are delightful and the staff are delightful, too. I feel so good about my mom's care.
lg -
She took care of me for many years and so it is my turn to look after her. My sister really does so much more since she lives so close.
That's wonderful work you were doing there, lg. I didn't realize that was a true story when I read it the other day. It makes me feel so blessed to have my mental health when I read stories like that. I grew up in a town with a large mental hospital and very often went with groups to sing there and such - I saw a bit of what you speak of.
Talon -
It was delightful - I think that will be part of my routine when I go there now.
Jannie -
I like cats, too - this one was looking like "Should I make a break for it now? Does she see me?" And when I called out "Hello Kitty" it ran!
xo
Sparkling Red -
Oh my - there was bird poop to dodge! But they were fun to watch. :)
I can just see that cat!
I love the idea of a Sunday morning walk, but I too lazy. This was such a beautiful story of your day. No wonder all the folks on the rockers want to hear your story.
That sounds like a lovely walk!
So the people at the center are all retired reporters? :)
Ah sounds like a very beautiful walk!
Your mom is very lucky to have such a loving daughter. :)
FB -
Little did he know how sweet I am to cats - but that is their nature to be wary. :)
happygirl -
Look for a post soon as to why I am walking so much. I am motivated. And thank you for saying that - the people who live at the ALF are delightful.
Mama Zen -
It was. :)
Riot Kitty -
No - just inherently curious. :)
Joe -
You were just here! Thank you - I am lucky to have her, too.
Pretty image of the lake. What a great spot for a sunrise walk! Sounds like you had alot of friendly company. Strange a domestic duck opts out of the bread competition. The Kitty wouldn't get caught, n the Rocking Chair Porch Delegation caught up on you. Hope you had a good visit with your Mother.
Snaggle -
The rocking chair delegation - I like that. :) My dad retired from Nabisco and one of those rocking chair men retired from Sunshine so he and mom had quite the conversation about that one day.
I think the domestic duck was frozen out by the wild ducks - maybe because it looks different? I wonder. It was standing there looking a little wistful.
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