Bittersweet

I arrived at Moran Hall and neither the artist nor the other volunteer was there. The portfolios and art supplies were set out though, so I went up to the units to get a few of the patients. O4 was playing bingo and all of them wanted to finish the game, so I went up to M6. The guy that usually comes was out on a bus trip. On my way back to Moran, I caught up with the other volunteer who was escorting two of the patients from O4. I asked the one that was walking if they finished the game. He told me he's been playing bingo since he was 6 and give the prizes away to the other patients. Yeah, he's a little absent-minded but he's sounds really amazing when you talk to him. When I asked him earlier on the ward if he wanted to go down to art he told me about his "modeling career" after telling me I was pretty. It touched me when he thanked me for remembering him. After having them settle, I walked to F6. The nurse said the patient hasn't been really been active but she made him go anyway. I helped him 1:1 in painting but after awhile it was clear that he didn't want to do art today. The artist said he's hasn't been his best in awhile. After taking him back to his unit, I spent time with another patient who was painting by himself in the corner. The first week I met him I couldn't make out what he was saying but we're able to make light conversation now. He told me how he went to business school and was on the basketball and football team. When I told him that I had to leave and that it would be my last day working with "Art with Elders," he looked so sad. He kept asking "why?" even though I told him I was going back to college in the summer during our conversation.

I dropped by E4 as request by the A.T. after art. Surprise, surprise! She did throw something big! She had the staff room decorated with a few balloons. On the table laid a cake that read "Thank you, Kim! Good luck from E4!" There was also sodas and ice cream. All the nurses and the doctor on the unit were there to wish me luck and thank me. The A.T. handed me a card and when I opened it there was some cash and all the signatures of the staff that were working today. I knew the A.T. wanted to get me a gift certificated because she kept asking me what stores I shopped at and what stores were up in Davis yesterday (I told her I don't really shop and Davis has mostly mom-and-pop stores). Anyways, I insisted to help pass out ice cream to the residents even though the A.T. said this was my party and I should sit and enjoy the food. The patients knew I was coming back so all they did was thanked me for the ice cream. LOL! I love the patients on E4!

Whoever knows me knows I'm a fast walker. I was a block away from home when I startled a lady walking in front of me with the sound of my fast pace. Turns out her son got shot a few blocks away and she's never too careful now. I seemed to make her day because I told her how I was coming back from volunteering at a rehabilitation hospital and how sorry I was to hear what happened. It was really nice meeting one of the neighbors even though it was through misfortune. I hope her son gets better.