Today started out not so well, with a prolonged coughing seige that was finally alleviated with a nebulizer treatment ("thank god for the nebulizer," Bob said). After that, things were pretty much on the upward curve.
When Susie arrived this afternoon with a bagfull of clean clothes, Bob donned a t-shirt and shorts immediately - as far as he could without assistance. While he & I chatted, waiting for the aide to arrive to help him dress the rest of the way and get into his wheelchair, I heard what sounded like a little rock concert down the hall. But by the time I got to the dining room to check it out, it was coming to a close. Phooey! How could they not include Bob? Oh well, they don't know how much music - this music - means to him. But what to do now? I asked the musician, a one-man-band playing golden oldies, if he'd mind staying a little longer to play one last song for Bob. It's his music, I told him, and music means the world to him. "Twist my arm," he said with a smile, as he handed me a playlist for Bob to choose from.
The dressing and transferring took awhile, followed by the taking of vital signs. I was afraid the musician would give up on us, but he was waiting when we arrived. "I'm Bob," Bob told him. "I'm Jeff," the musician said. It had only taken a second for Bob to select "Lean on Me," by Bill Withers, and he joined in singing with the opening words. Jeff said, "Yeah! Sing along with me!" So we both sang melody and harmony through the whole thing, Bob taking half of the call and response at the end of the song. An old lady in the room sang, too, and smiled encouragingly at Bob throughout. When the song was done, Bob said, "I flew through the air, and I survived! This is a great song for a survivor!" Many thanks all around, and "God bless you" from Bob to Jeff.
Outside on a second blue day in a row (unusual this rainy spring), Bob said, "I flew through the air, and I survived. This is my new story." And so it is.
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3 comments:
Hey, Bob, I didn't know it was your birthday!
Apologies (a) for not knowing and (b) for missing it, but I send you tons of somewhat belated happy birthday greetings. William, your 1st cousin once removed who is also a Dr Who fan, turns 13 this coming Saturday. Never knew your birthdates were so close together.
I'll send a few pictures when I can figure out how to get them off of my phone - Jonathan (your other english 1st-cousin-once-removed) decided a few weeks ago, out of the blue, to cut his VERY long hair which he's been growing since February of 2008. hey, come to think of it, he cut it on the Friday which was your birthday!!! Anyway he looks a bit different than when you saw him at New Year's. We are surprised
to discover that he in fact has ears (and I'm ashamed to admit just HOW MUCH grubby dirt was caked behind them... It looked like he had a sun tan just on the back of his neck and behind his ears!!)
I hope the disruption of moving out of the Rehabilition place isnt' too difficult and that you settle into your new place very soon.
lots of love,
Nancy
Just a quick note to say hello. Hello! I hope your singing up a storm and cruising around in warmer weather than we're having here. At least the flowers are getting a drink and our lawn repair isn't too thirsty and our lone new young plum (!) tree hasn't dried up. It's growing new shoots! A miracle!
They say we could have fruit from it (this far north?!), but it could take a while. Just to watch it do its work is reward enough for now.
Good luck with your good work.
Love,
Peter and Nathan (back from school last night) and Wendy and Molly and Nora (who finished 8th grade, graduating from her school in that 8th is the last grade).
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