115 ~ I Finally Quit

By Kay Heitsch

L's funeral was lovely. I wasn't too happy with the way her hair turned out. I should have fixed it the day of the funeral. Spending time in the morgue was interesting. One thing is for sure: it was cold in there. I believe that's one reason L's hair went flat.

I needed a break. I didn't think working for 6 years in a lock-in facility would have such an impact on me. A lot was going on at home with Bill changing jobs a few times, too. Aunt Carmeleta kept asking me if I thought I was okay. I thought I was better than I was.

But don't get me wrong. I still believe working at the memory care center was a part of God's plan for me. God's plans are not always a cake walk!

Brandon was almost finished with college, and with enough money saved, Bill said I could finally quit the company I worked for.

I visited the memory care center a few times, but I don't think most of the residents even remembered me. A couple did. My singing friend saw me and asked, "Are you the person I sing with?" This made my heart happy.

Life was about to undergo another significant change.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

114 ~ L's Death

 114 ~ Triumph Through Tragedy By Kay Heitsch

"L"'s Death

Little did I know that I would be with "L" for six years. A lot had happened during that time. The residents, staff, and management all came and went. There were only two people left who were there when I started on my last day.

The company I worked for didn't give paid vacation or sick days. I had one sick day, and I took a weekend off when Shannon got married. I needed the money, so I worked. But after six years, Bill and I decided to take a short vacation.

When I came back, "L" didn't seem the same. She had been going downhill, which is expected, but now she was not eating. The staff told me she had missed me. I figured she would snap out of it, but she didn't.

I called "L" daughter and let her know. I put the phone to "L"'s ear and she talked to her. I also spoke to "L"'s son to let them know "L" wasn't doing well.

I hadn't left for work when I received the call that "L" had just passed.

I was busy getting ready for our daughter and husband to come for Christmas that day. I knew they would be at our home in the afternoon. I sure wasn't expecting this call.

I dropped everything I was doing and went straight to the memory care center.

I walked into "L"'s room like usual. There she was lying on her bed with her eyes open. I walked over and shut her eyes.

"L"'s son said he wanted to come up and see his mom before she was taken to the funeral home.

So, before "L"'s son got there, I put her best nightgown on, folded her hands, as if she were sleeping. I combed her hair and put some blush on her pale cheeks. Then I put on some quiet music and sprayed the lavender spray around.

Word had spread, and the woman who showed me how to cut "L"s hair came down. I found out that day she also did hair for the funeral homes in the area. The next thing I knew, she asked if I would come over to the funeral home and do "L"s hair. I said that I would.

"L"'s son came up, and he had a quiet moment with his mom. I was happy I had fixed her up so she looked peaceful, and he would have a good memory.

Since "L" passed close to Christmas, the family had her funeral the day after Christmas.

Believe it or not, I went to the morgue and did "L"'s hair. It was an experience I had never had before. My one last act of love.

These years were unforgettable, but God saw me through.

113 ~ Moving Again?

By Kay Heitsch

After moving the last two times, I learned a lot! I knew no matter what happened, I could put my trust in the Lord to take care of me.

So, I wasn't too surprised when Bill accepted a management job in another state. The gal we bought the house from was our neighbor, so she came over to the house with the paperwork.

The relator gave a few suggestions, such as taking all my pictures off the refrigerator. That was okay. When she started to do the paperwork, I excused myself and went to work. She was surprised!

I told her I had been through this many times and I had already put this house in God's hands. I wasn't going to worry about it. I cleaned the house every morning before leaving for work. The house was always ready to be shown.

During the meantime, I kept working at the memory care center. I was entertained by a couple of residents who recited the same jingles all day long. Here's a couple.

"Lord, have mercy on my soul. How many chickens have I stole? Two last night and two before, and if I live tonight, I'll steal two more!"

Then, I was asked this question several times a day.

"What do you call a hillbilly breakfast?" I would always respond, What? He would laugh and say, "A roll in the hay with honey!"

Bill was gone for several months. He found a hotel suite there and would come home when he could.

Our house did not sell! Praise the Lord! Later, Bill discovered they were seeking a manager with experience opening and closing stores. Bill had experience with each. That's why they hired him. They had decided to close this store.

You never know what life is going to bring. Praise God, I had learned to trust the Lord and not stress.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

112 ~ Resident Humor

By Kay Heitsch

Pushing back from the table in the dining room, Kermit* was ready to leave. When the girls asked where he was going, he said, "Look out, look out, I'm about to break air!"

One SOUTHERN lady, Daisy "T", called me LULA BELLE. She was reciting some of her OFF COLORED poems and said, "You know, LULA BELLE, if momma heard me talking like this, she wouldn't like it. So, I'm going to tell her YOU told me to say it."

Once a week, the able residents can go on an outing. This week, while they were out, one of our male residents walked up to a very pregnant young woman. He looked at her hand and said, "I don't see a wedding ring. And it's obvious to me that there's been some ACTIVITY going on."

Almost a week after having my hair highlighted, a resident said, "Did you notice your hair is turning grey in the front?" I replied, "Can you believe I paid someone $95.00 to look like this?" Her quick response was, "You're kidding!"

As "L" and I were walking down the hall singing with another resident, we were blocked by a wheelchair carrying a woman who asked, "Did you get the papers?" I said, "No." Her immediate response was, "You will soon, as I'm suing you for singing off-key!

* name changed

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

111 ~ Meal Time

 By Kay Heitsch

I didn't eat at the memory care center, but I was there helping "L" eat. At first, she did feed herself, but soon she stopped.

I could tell the lady who prepared the meals took extra care to make sure everyone's plate looked nice. Even people who needed to eat pureed food were included.

It was interesting to listen to these residents talk about the food. I'll share a few things that I remember.

It was dinner time, and a resident was staring at her food. I picked up the fork, put some food on it, and said, "Yummy, yummy, for your tummy." Mary*, who was sitting across the table, said, "Yummy, yummy for your tummy? I never heard that before. It was always, EAT IT OR ELSE, at my house!"

Another time, a resident announced, "Look at this food! Someone must be drunk in the kitchen!"

Across the room came some words of wisdom. "Picky eaters have a limited menu!"

Ken*, one of our residents, came in with a feeding tube. After some time, the feeding tube was removed, and he was able to eat pureed food.

The first day Ken was given his pureed food, Ken dug right in like there was no tomorrow. After he had eaten it all, he began to pray out loud. In a loud voice, Ken prayed, "Our Father who art in heaven, thank you for this delicious food I have just eaten."

I have so many funny, off-color, and inspiring stories that these precious residents said and did. These incidents helped me work in an environment that was out of my comfort zone.

* names changed

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2

110 ~ Cowboy Escapade

By Kay Heitsch

In a lock-in facility, the doors will open if you push on them hard enough. However, an alarm will sound.

One day, I was sitting in "L"'s room with her as she was watching one of her favorite movies. All of a sudden, I heard the alarm go off.

"L"'s room was facing the front door, so I could see people come and go. I walked over to the window and saw one of the men residents, wearing a cowboy hat, running as fast as he could, with several of the girls who worked there chasing him.

As he ran, his pants were falling down! He had remembered the hat, but forgot to put on his belt!

Before he reached the road, he had to stop because his pants were now at his ankles.

The police had been called, and one of the officers helped our "cowboy" in the backseat of the patrol car.

As they pulled up to the front door, I saw our "cowboy" with the biggest grin on his face. I smile every time I think about this cowboy escapade. He sure had added some excitement to our day.

109 ~ Block The Door

By Kay Heitsch

This memory care center was a lock-in facility. To enter or exit, you needed someone to buzz you in or out, unless you had the code.

Joe* and Jane*were a couple who came to visit often and were familiar with the routine. They also knew that at times a resident would try to go out.

As they waited to be buzzed out, a woman they thought was a new resident was standing by the door with them.

When the door opened, Jane grabbed the poor woman by the shirt, and Joe stood in front of the door, blocking her escape.

Jane told me this woman became very upset, but they wouldn't give in.

Finally, a worker saw what was going on and told them that this woman was a visitor just like them.

When Jane was telling me the story, she said, "Well, she had the right look but the wrong mind."

I don't know who this visitor was, but I can bet she never came back! What an ordeal!

* names changed

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2