The Reminder . . .

About 5 years ago my aunt an uncle needed to be moved into an assistant living home.  It was a very difficult day for both of them.  They always thought they would leave this earth from their home . . . it wasn’t meant to be.  Unfortunately, they are separated because their needs are different.  Most Saturdays my sister and I go with our cousins to visit them.  My aunt’s face lights up when she sees us and is ready and eager to introduce us to all.  Yesterday, we happened to go during the lunch hour.  It was just a “normal” day for the mostly ladies and few gentlemen.  We always try and converse with the people near us . . . especially if they don’t have any visitors.  Yesterday was no exception . . . we started up a conversation with John and Mary.  Both were exceptionally feisty yesterday.  John was being a bit demanding about wanting more ice cream . . . ice cream mind you that he was very happy to tell us he buys!  I joked around with him about his good taste in ice cream in hopes that it would deter his annoyance with the nurse.  He had a few choice words to say about the situation but in the end we had him laughing.  Mary on the other hand was upset because her food comes puréed.  How could she enjoy eating food that tasted all the same . . . we agreed with her and listened to why her food presentation came to be.  Again, we tried to change the subject and I joked with her how she and her husband meet for meals like they are dating . . .(they too are separated due to different needs.)  In the end it makes you realize how so often the “plan” we make for ourselves is not necessarily the way things will work out.  I guess the lesson is to live each day to the fullest because you don’t want to look back with regrets.