FRIDAY's FAVE FIVE

On Monday, I received a reply from the laundry service, who had charged me for two duvets and a coat. Of course, I didn't pay. I don't own any duvets, and I have never even worn my coat here. Luckily, we'll be switching laundry service next month. They probably thought the old lady would not notice. 

It's gotten quite cold, and rather damp too. Luckily, I don't have to go out since we are having a three-day general strike—no buses, trains, or trams, the shops are closed, and there is no mail. Thankfully, it's supposed to be over tomorrow. Am I happy that have my pension each month and nothing can be changed anymore. 

The next day I was invited by my friend Laure whom I hadn't seen at least since a month. She wasn't feeling well, just like me, we were both feeling down. We also lost our husbands around the same time. She was worrying about her almost-grown grandchildren instead of leaving that to their parents. Somehow, I get the feeling she's letting herself be taken advantage of. But it's hard to say that to someone without risking the friendship. She'll figure it out herself.

On Wednesday the residents of Nivelles returned home, now the 3rd floor will be repaired and get new furniture. We also will not see anymore the very mental ill people, because they will be locked in, as some of them try to escape. It happened already twice since I am here.

 

In our activity group we lost two people, they both suddenly died. One just fell asleep after having watched TV and never woke up. How lucky she was ! We all were sad because it was such a nice person. The other one I didn't know well, but he was in a bad shape so it was certainly better for him.  

 

I'm increasingly noticing that the brain ages in a rather strange way. Younger people are already showing signs of dementia, while our 100-year-old still speaks and thinks perfectly normally. Unfortunately, her body hasn't followed she can no longer stand and her hands tremble terribly. She is completely dependent on a care taker. Gilberte, on the other hand, who is 103, has the brain of someone 30. She walks and sees, and her body is also normal. Of course, she tires more easily. Then we have a 90-year-old who was once a history and French teacher; she has a very good general knowledge and hasn't forgotten a thing. She walks without help and is completely normal, but one of us always has to take her back to her room because she has lost her sense of orientation. Even when she's standing in front of her door, she tells me she doesn't know where she is. She has a beautiful, authentic Buddha from Thailand, so I open her door and point to the Buddha, saying, "See, this is your room." Then she immediately knows where she is and is so grateful that it makes me feel a bit awkward.  

 

I find it really interesting how differently people age. The worst part is you don't notice it yourself when your brain starts to fail, it's always other people who notice. I hope I'm still "normal"—at least my car seems to agree.

 

Different ways of aging

 

 

more participants at Susanne at Living to tell the Story.