The Holidays

As the year closes it always brings me to a place of reflection. The things I've done in the past year. The things I should have done a little differently and where the next year may take me. It is such an adventure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every holiday in recent years I've spent at work. I know I do best there. I put on my reindeer headband, a colorful Christmas sweater and remind my beautiful residents what time of year it is.

It's funny with dementia, even when thoughts are so jumbled people with Alzheimer's disease usually remember Christmas Carols. Singing comes from a different part of the brain and these tunes lay protected in their fragile minds. I know it sounds a bit trivial but to see smiles and a sense of peace in these people, the peace they find in "knowing" the song, it's a warm, almost overwhelming feeling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The New Year brings hope of exciting new things. I'm not much for resolutions but I do make personal goals that I usually keep to myself. This year I will share my most important goals with everyone. Maybe I'll scroll though around June to see where I am.

Feel free to share yours as well.

  I must make plans to go to Florida and see my Dad, sister, and brothers. It's been way too long.

I would like to reach out to my Mother, just one more time. As a good friend pointed out recently (Colo), she suffers and misses her family. I'm willing to give it one more shot.

Find peace with my career choices. I haven't heard news about the position on the base. If that doesn't pan out, I need to get back to my dementia residents. It actually hurts, I miss giving that type of care. I need them as much as they need me.

Get my house in order. Finish remodeling projects that are half done. (My kitchen has been tore up for 2 years!!)

Last but not least, help others. I think about giving time but never get motivated to do it. One thing a month is not too much to ask. Red Cross, shelters, the homeless, shut-ins...they all need us!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To all our friends here on "The Stream," Hook and I wish you the happiest of holidays and the best year ever. I'm glad we found this great community of people, it has given us so much.

Nursey