I went to the nursing home Saturday to pick up my wife and bring her homefor a couple of days. She is having such a hard time coping with being there that it gives her something to look forward to. The head nurse had called me Thursday night, to inform me that Gabriella had hit a resident, mainly due to the frustration she was feeling, for the patient wandered into her room and wouldn’t leave.So taking her home for a few days I thought would relieve some of her stress and frustration, as well as give her some liberty, even if it was only for a couple of days.
Seeing my wife so happy, sure takes priority over the lack of money, that it takes for me to do this. She sits by the big window and looks out at people coming and going, all the while listening to christmas music, or a gospel cd.
I had to leave her for a short time to get groceries, for supper and also for the following day, but she would be alright by herself for a short time. I returned from the store a short time later and when she heard me coming, ran to the door and threw her arms around me with such desperation. It was as if she thought, I had abandoned her .
I started to make supper, as it was getting late and we were both hungary. Gabriella cleaned off the table as the Italian soup was simmering on the stove. My wife really enjoyed the dinner, she really doesn’t like the food in the nursing home.
After supper I gave Gabriella her medication and started the dishes, while she sat quietly at the table smoking her cigarette and listening to the christmas tape,.that was still playing.Shortly thereafter, I changed Gabriella and tucked her into bed, kissed her forehead and turned off the light.
She slept mostly through the night only getting-up a couple of times, she seemed so, so content, what a true blessing my wife truly is. She is suffering from this awful disease (schizophrenia) but she still holds on to her christian faith, it sure humbles me.
I made her breakfast the next morning and gave her her morning meds., she was in such good spirits, as she asked me to say the blessing,on the food, she was about to eat.
She asked me to turn on the television so she could watch Jimmy Swaggart, food for life and the People’s Church. We both enjoyed the hymns as well as the message ! After watching the church sevices we had to start getting ready to go to our home church.
The transit saervice was extra slow this Sunday afternoon, so we were a little late for church, just a little late though.We were greeted very warmly as we sat down and began praising the Lord in song.
At the end of the service which usually lasts about one and a half to two hours, Gabriella went up to the front to talk to the pastor, to ask for pray for the both of us. We then shook hands with a few people as we made our way to the back and to the street.
There was a long wait for the bus and it was quite cold. When the bus finally did come though, the ride home was pretty fast. Gabriella was very content you could tell,she had her head resting on my shoulder and had such a beautiful smile on her face.
When we arrived home it was time to start getting supper ready, so I put on another christmas tape, as I prepared the meal. After supper it was time to take her medication and get ready for bed, it had been a very long day and we were both very tired.
The next day, she was to return to the nursing home and she was not happy about that at all. She kept saying that, " it is not her kind of place and that I should get a maid to help look after her, so she can stay home". Of course that is out of the question unfortunantly but that’s her dream.
Gabriella’s brother, sister and brother-in-law planned to meet us at the nursing home around supper time, to enjoy the Italian soup that I made, over the weekend. Shortly after we arrived at the home, they came in and Gabriella was delighted to see them.
We went down stairs to the staff lounge to eat the soup, that is where the micro-wave is.They enjoyed the soup very much so we had a wonderful time visiting as they were eating.
After they ate we went back up to Gabriella’s room I had to let the staff know that Gabriella was back from her weekend and also to sign her in. Her brother then suggested that we go out to the near by diner for dessert, if Gabriella felt up to it.
Gabriella enjoyed the pastry and hot chocolate ver much but her mood was starting to change, so we decided not stay long. My brother-in-law drove us back to the nursing home, I took her up to her floor while they waited downstairs, to drive me home.
Gabriella was so sad the weekend was over; I huged and kissed her I told her that I loved her very much and would be back soon. She walked me to the elevator where again we again said goodbye and as the elevator doors were closing, I heard her yell I love you Ronnie.
Finally I would like to add that as a christian man I am very aware of God’s beautiful creations such as …
The blue sky, the twinkling stars on a clear night, the beautiful rainbow over the water, the beautiful exotic birds and fishes and much much more…
but God’s most beautiful creation of them is My Wife her name is Gabriella !