The Night Before "Graduation"

Went to rehab today to visit Frances one last time in her current digs. Took me a while to remember the combination to the bicycle chain that chained the toolbox to the bed which also had a pad lock on it with the lap top locked inside.(Could you follow that "chain" of events?)

She goes home in the morning. When I got there today, she and her room mate had three male strippers entertaining them and the keg was still half full! Thank God I had brought my own pewter mug. Her room mate kept hogging the funnel and we had a hard time getting the bong away from Frances. Wait a minute...maybe that was ME on MY last night in college...those days were pretty wild and still seem hazy to me.

TOTALLY KIDDING! But you gotta admit you laughed, didn't ya?

Her room mate is a woman who is 94. She came for rehab because of a gall bladder problem that was inoperable mainly because of her age. When I first met her, she was totally incoherent and seemed to me completely in demise and just waiting for her time to come.

She has bounced back just like Frances (they are both obviously in a 'blessed' room.)

She goes to the dining room now and feeds herself. She is completely in touch and aware of her circumstances. Her two daughters are with her 24/7. Donna takes the day shift and spends the entire day with her mother. At night the other daughter, Faye comes in to relieve her sister and spends the entire night with their mom, sleeping in a recliner squeezed into the corner.

What a gift to have daughters that love you that much! They never act like it is a burden, but a privilege to be able to keep their mother company and be there for her every hour of every day. There are so many patients in the center that never have any visitors or company, but are simply living out their years the best way they can. Many are pretty upbeat about it and some are begging you to take them with you when you leave.

We have been so blessed not only with Frances' amazing recovery...but with being able to meet these two daughters that are even more committed than I have been with my cousin. They style her hair, they never talk down to her but lift her and her spirit every day. It is working for them AND for their mother. Hopefully their mother will be going home next week.

Room 308 will NEVER be the same!

It has been an awesome experience getting to know all of these people and I will truly miss going to the "Rehab."

God bless Donna, Faye and Muriel.

Frances makes her escape tomorrow (check out is by 11.)

Of course I will keep you all posted on her return home, and plan on keeping in touch with Donna, Faye and their mother, Muriel (what a beautiful name.)

This entire experience has been a real highlight in my life and made me realize not only how truly lucky some people really are , but how so many others are suffering in silence and solitude.

Congratulations Frances!

The therapist has already told her that she was the "Star Student."

I hope that Ms. Muriel is the next one!