Today was something new for both of us. Weekly readings at the Mansion.
I decided it was time for Red to go back to work today, and I picked him up and carried him up into the rear seat. He is still wary of any kind of jumping.
Our dog ramp is coming on Thursday.
Red was happy to be in the Mansion Activity Room, he greeted some friends and then lay down, still tired, still resting. He is still recovering.
I was going to the Mansion to begin something new in my work there: a weekly reading hour for the residents who wished to come.
We had a full house.
I read from my book “Saving Simon,” and from two old folk tales I found online, one about Yeti’s and Bigfoot, the other about the lives of Iranian women.
I brought a book of poetry written by Mary Kellogg a friend who is 89 and just published her fourth book of poems. I read three of her poems.
And I read a short Christmas story by Washington Irving, the author of “Rip Van Winkle’ and “Sleepy Hallow.”
I have a thick volume of Christmas stories and poems, I’ll be doing readings at the Mansion once a week from now on. I love doing these readings, the residents were attentive and listened carefully.
It just works for me, and I hope, for them.
There was a special feeling in the room. There were only a handful of questions or comments, but I could see by their eyes that they were following the stories closely, there wasn’t a sound in the room.
I know these people well know, we see one another often, there is a connection and trust between us.
Afterwards, we served punch and cookies. This is a regular part of my schedule now. I can do it most weeks.
I liked reading from my own book – it was at their request – and I’ll do a chapter a week. I read for more than an hour, and I looked carefully to see if heads were nodding, but only one head was. Everyone’s eyes were right on me.
I’ll be going to the Mansion on Christmas morning to do a reading and sing some Christmas carols together with them on the Karaoke Machine. I’ll put the screen up close and we can all sing together, me, Red, Maria and the residents who have no place to go on Christmas Day.
The residents were much relieved to see Red, they had been following his crisis online. He felt so at home there.
Reading out loud is a wonderful thing to do. My friend and I read at our Maldon Hospital each week to local residents that are in permanent care. The British Library instituted a program called “Reading Out Loud” some 7 or so years ago. We did the training and have been reading at our hospital every Tuesday morning for the last 6 years. We also have a poem picked out to complement the story we are reading. I’m sure it will be popular at the Mansion.
Reading aloud to people is such a joy, Jon. Thank you for the inspiration. I am searching for things to do in 2019 that spread more joy. This may be one of them! Super glad to see Red amongst the residents!