Visiting Betty

Betty is our new friend.



We've known her a couple months now.  We visit her every Wednesday at a senior living facility in town.



She loves my kids.  She calls them her babies.  It's unclear whether she knows their names, so I repeat them often.




Our kids are reserved, and I was concerned about tossing them into a new environment with someone new... who might want them to give hugs before they're inclined to.



I'm grateful that Charlie doesn't have separation anxiety yet.  He usually sits contentedly in Betty's lap while she watches the older kids play with various toys.



Although she really engages well with the older ones, and they have warmed up to her significantly over the past several weeks.



It's interesting watching the very young interact with the very old.  Her memory slips often, so we stay in the present moment.  But sometimes the kids are confused by what she says, and I try to explain as simply as possible that sometimes when people get older, they forget where they are or with whom they're talking.



A few weeks ago, one of my little helpers was assisting me, wheeling Betty into the dining room while two of the other kids sat on her lap.  We hit a large bump, and everybody spilled out of the wheelchair.  I was horrified.  Mortified.  Terrified she was hurt--or one of the kids.  But mercy of all mercies... everyone was fine!  Oh.  my.  goodness.  We've navigated that bump a few more times since then--with no incident--but it still causes a visceral reaction when I even just notice it as I walk by.  We must have had angels around us that day.



I'm completely in awe of the mommy who started this ministry, pairing young moms with senior residents.




There was a dedication of the room--Hal's Hangout--a couple weeks ago.  It was such a fun celebration!



We planted an iris for our resident, ate hot dogs, and played with a parachute.



Our friends Asha and Alex were there, too, so we got to enjoy a nice picnic with Betty and our friends.



The kids were trying so hard to play "Ring Around the Rosie," but they couldn't quite get the walking in a circle part.  They kept walking across the grass in a big blob, holding hands.



I hope Betty is around for a long time.  We really like spending time with her.



And I think she really likes spending time with us.