BFF

I have been thinking a lot this weekend about an interaction I had with one of my seniors. I took her to the doctor last week. That medical campus is torn up leaving very few parking spots for the bus. She is completely capable of walking so we parked far away. It was a bit of a walk so I apologized to her. She said, “Exercise never hurt anyone. Well, maybe it hurts you. I know you just had a baby!”

Wwwhhhhaaatttt?? When did that happen? I just brushed it off because it is her reality and there is no sense breaking it.

When inside the clinic she proceeded to tell everyone about my tall husband who gives her hugs and is just the nicest person alive. (I really cannot wait to meet him!) She told everybody that her parents abandoned her to get a divorce and that I am taking care of her and am her best friend. I am pretty sure she thinks I am older than her. She told everybody about how my husband, new baby, and I took her in. As we walked back to the bus swinging our arms hand-in-hand she leaned her head on my shoulder and thanked me for always being there for her. I wanted to cry…

Today her husband came to visit. She thinks he is her father so she was so happy that she wasn’t abandoned anymore. An hour before he came I told her I was going to take her with me to pick up another resident from visiting his wife. I walked outside to say hi to her family and she told her “dad” she needed to leave because we had a friend date. She told them I was her best friend ever. They just said, “Thank you for being her best friend.” Again, I wanted to cry…

I can not even explain how humbled and honored I feel to take care of these sweet seniors with dementia. Days can be hard, my patience can wear thin, but I just think of all the times these seniors have leaned their head on my shoulder, as their best friend. It is a tremendous responsibility to have this trust. A responsibility I do not take lightly.

So, I now have a baby and a tall-handsome husband and will let my dear, sweet resident live her reality being my best friend in my best life with my new little family. I am glad she gets to live in my dreams for the future.