Fair Day, Good Day

When Al first comes home from the Hospice House he is the best. So we take advantage of these times. Today is one of the new normal days he doesn’t go to Day Program so his body can stay rested.

But today was a special day. It was Street Fair day at Day Program. I didn’t know exactly what to expect. Would the parking lot be crowded and I would have to push his wheel chair a mile? Was it out in the parking lot? What would be going on.

We pulled into the parking area and nothing seemed different. When we walked in anyone that saw me pushing Al came up immediately and said hello to him. One of the office people was in view and Al told her immediately, ” I can only come three days a week now. My body gets too tired.” She gave him a pat on the back and said, ” I know Al, but we still want you here. Even if you have to drop more days, we still want you here. We love having you with us.” With that, Al wept a little but not bad.

I whisked him off to the courtyard where the little fair was going on. Now for you and me we wouldn’t even call it little. We may call it a speck, but for people like Al and the other clients it was a change. A chance to get outside in the fresh air. A chance to visit with their friends. A chance to have some fun.

There was some tables sitting decorated with different articles representing what each class was based on. There was a game of corn hole, a little miniature golf course and a batting cage.

One of Al’s hero, named  Andy  was in charge of the games and he took Al from me and pushed him to each game. Hand over hand Al was able to play each game. He beamed from ear to ear.

I couldn’t help let out happy tears as it was so wonderful to see this caring man helping Al to enjoy the hour. For every game Al played, he won a plastic dollar. In the end he had gained three dollars and turned them in at the gift area. He bought himself a key chain, a deck of cards and a new hankie or bandana.

Al was thrilled. His head was beginning to hang pretty far. A sure sign his body is tiring out. Scott helped me get Al back in the car and of course Al said he was hungry. I took him to his favorite soda shop and he ate a whole cheeseburger and french fries.

We came home and I changed him and laid him down. He is already sound asleep. I am so proud. The part of me that is human didn’t really want to take him. I was thinking of the heavy wheel chair, loading it and unloading it is hard on my body. But he had a good time, and I had a good time knowing he smiled so much.