I have worked in Shady Acres for 15 plus years now, seen all manner of things that have

made me regret this field every once in a blue moon.

I can't explain how painful it is to bond with a resident and lose them.

My first real introduction to dementia was a sweet old woman named Rose.

She came to Shady Acres due to a family being worried she wouldn't fare well in a home

after a nasty fall.

She had been living alone for some time and reluctantly agreed to be admitted.

She had such a fiery spirit under that graceful southern charm.

She cleaned a room instead of letting the genusers do it.

Should iron a clothes with an iron she'd somehow found.

More than once she snuck outside to try and tend to flower beds.

Because in her words, I know type of way to treat day lilies, go to talk to them when

you water them honey.

People of the staff grew to love her, as did many of the patients.

They love having something remind them of their younger years.

How intent and driven it makes them when they catch wind of being able to do something

other than watch TV.

It's what makes it sad.

Seeing how badly they want to be useful and active.

Months passed, enjoying her antics, looking forward to what you were getting to.

Comfort came in this routine.

The camera day rose wasn't up early at the crack of dawn.

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