For many years Mom was cashier in the employee cafeteria every Friday at lunch time. Just this morning Elizabeth stopped me in the corridor, and with a big smile on her face recounted the time Mom told her that she owed twenty-five cents more for her lunch. “Your mother brought back memories of my own grandmother, who In a loving but determined way never let me get away with anything.”
Four years ago they had to find another job for mom. Although she was still accurate, she was talking too long making the change and the employees wanted every minute of their thirty minute lunch hour. “Well,” retorted Mom, “they just need to be given a longer lunch hour.” Mom was always advocating.
So they gave Mom the job of delivering the mail to the resident’s rooms. She’d put the letters in the pocket of her walker and make the rounds. Nine months ago when she came to live here, she brought along her volunteer smock and had every intention of continuing her Friday volunteer job. But she soon forgot about that routine that had been such an important part of her life. Now volunteers and those who work here are helping here.