In every ending is.... a new beginning

Several of you have written wondering how Isabel is doing with her move.

Her former Nurse Manager says that it will take a month -- and maybe more -- to get used to a move, and to train all the new staff. "But you are good at that, Isabel, you are a teacher."

Mum's Doctor said to her yesterday, "Treat this move like GRADUATION. You're a teacher. You understand that concept of progress and moving forward. You no longer need to live on that unit. You have graduated."

Isabel's new room is pie-shaped. Lots of room for visiting and for Rufus to turn around. A private bathroom large enough for a party. And a small window. Half the size of the old picture window in Mum's previous Wascana rooms. That's difficult. And the window faces north. And right now the bottom third is coated in snow.

"Good insulation" says Isabel, just before we flung it open on Monday night to let fresh air blow through Mum's room.

And the terrace garden? Gone to a wrecker's ball in September. The deep flower boxes were leaking and wrecking havoc below. As the flowers were ripped out and the door locked long before the season's end, we knew we would have to find an alternative place of beauty and growth for 2011. Isabel was in transition way back then.

We don't know what the new place of beauty and growth will be this spring and summer. However, it is mid-January and the days are lengthening and Mum is finding sunny spots for afternoon naps.

Main-5 is different. The average age of residents is 53 and they range in age from 20 to 90. Many folks have active lives. At least two are University students. Others spend most of the day out and about. There is no curfew! And it is so quiet. No ventilators alarming in the middle of the night. Fewer call bells. No staff intercom all night. We are now realizing that Mum used to live on the loudest hall of any part of Wascana.

She has traded the noisy hall for a quiet room close to the concourse and entertainment. And so far, no rowdy midnight brawls. Sleeps are consistently better.

Gratitude..... for a single room that has a window. And snow and rabbit tracks and blue sky.