A Viewing In the Corridor

Volunteers are truly, the salt of all communities and apart from feeling good, there are opportunities to give a helping hand to those who might need it more where the general public at times, do tend to ignore. That’s how I found myself amongst the elderly and frail in an aged care facility now that their bodies start to fail, and their minds begin to wander but they still know how to smile when I hear their conversations while I sit with them a while. For dementia patients are complex with sometime funny quotes with puzzling statements from the blue in weird anecdotes, but over time with patience I got to know them one by one, and so too all the nurses – with who I joked and had some fun. Now one nurse in particular; Kerri-Ann enjoyed our banter (it was nothing more than stirring chat; not meant to enchant her) but on this one occasion as we strolled along a corridor, ahead of us was Peter Jones who made his entrance through a door. Peter faced us in his pyjamas with a sad look upon his face, so Kerri-Ann with wisdom asked with a touch of grace “What’s wrong Peter?” and with a sniff I heard him say “oh nurse I am upset – my private part has died today.” Kerri-Ann offered her condolences and put Peter back to bed, and we continued on our way to see some patients up ahead. Of course there were the giggles, but sorrow’s in there too, because I believed poor Peter – just wouldn’t have a clue. But I was wrong on our return. I gazed ahead in sheer dismay. Peter faced us in the corridor with his member on display. Kerri-Ann as always took the reins, “Peter, what are you doing?” And Peter’s morbid voice replied - “It’s now time for the viewing.”