The day before Christmas

The day before Christmas I was thinking back to when I got a phone call on the day before Christmas. . I had only been in business of caring for the elderly for 18 months but word spread fast and I had 7 residents by now. I had only planned to have 5 but here is another rule . I made a Golden Rule that I would never turn anyone away weather they could pay or not. That story is for another time, dear reader.When I answered the phone it was Sister Lauren, with the Catholic Family Community Services,and she was looking for a bed!! Surprise! Surprise! She was at the Saratoga Hospital and was trying to find a place for an 88 year old woman . The lady had been beaten and raped and than managed to crawl, in the snow and cold, two blocks for help. The people called 911 and she was taken to the hospital. The Dr.'s said she needed to go to a facility for permanent care. She had been living in a shack with dirt floors and depending on "friends" for help. These so called friends would charge her $5.00 for a loaf of bread so she really was in a terrible situation. Her husband had died when he was 28 from a heart attack and she never re-married. She had her Veterans Pension & Social Security which amounted to about $450.00 a month.When Sister Lauren asked if I had an extra bed I said of course. Do you think I could say no on Christmas Eve? I am not sure how I done it but she brought Verna to my house. Verna was a tiny lady about 4'10" and probably weighed 90 pounds. When she came into the house she was so shocked because she had never been in a house with floors let alone carpets. She just glowed like a child looking at the decorations. It made everyone happy just to watch her. When we got her ready for her bath she was so scared. It seems she had never seen a tub or shower before so it was interesting. She had a nice warm bath and had her hair washed. IT was so long but I managed to wash and dry it. The drier really fascinated her!! I noticed she was getting very upset and I asked her what was wrong. She said she was afraid I would send her back to where she had been living in the morning. I reassured her she would always be with me. The next morning when the residents had finished breakfast we gathered in the living room for the opening of the gifts. When I handed her a gift she just cried. It seems she had not received anything in years and could not understand how there was a gift for her there. I told her I knew she was going to receive gifts because I had caught a glimpse of Santa just as he was leaving!! That was one of many happy Christmas's we had at Miner's Home for the Elderly.
Love to all, Red



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