Ever since I described Anthony as being in “good physical health” on my blog, which seems an hilariously ironic way of describing someone who has just turned 80, is living in a nursing home, with more diseases than I can count on one hand, Anthony has been remarkably fit!
It has been an extraordinary few days with Anthony walking (with his walker of course, and accompanied by carers), and talking with a bit more gusto, and smiling widely with the various staff who come and go from his room.
Today, my mother visited us in his room and it was such a delightful day. Even though Ants often refers to the mostly female staff as “those guys” he still gets a real buzz from the way many of these beautiful women flirt and banter with him.
Apparently Ants has been walking better and doing physiotherapy and occupational therapy better and he even demonstrated some arm exercises with the OT today in our room. It was hilarious and I am so grateful for these people who really do care about him!
Of course, he isn’t getting better. That would be, physiologically, impossible, but his extraordinary liveliness this week has been such a buzz. I know I’ve said this before, but Anthony is the most resilient person I have ever come across; he never complains even when I say no to his requests to come back to the farm (often his childhood farm, not this one). He accepts the status quo, accepts his health problems, accepts that when I leave to go grocery shopping and he says, “don’t be long, Jules”, I am not coming back until the next day. And this almost never comes back to bite me.
This afternoon, one of the OTs said Ants was, as always, invited to “Happy Hour” (a monthly event in the common room). His response was a perfect representation of how extraordinary and funny he is:
Anthony: Is that with all the old people?
Me: Yes, but it could be fun; we’ve done it before, remember?
Anthony: Do I have to?
Me: No, of course not!
Anthony: They’re all so old so no thanks.
And I am reminded again of the best gift Anthony gives me, not every day but often enough – laughter.
jmgoyder 
What a fighter Anthony is and how well you describe his day to day being.
Heis an absolute legend! It was like a rotating door today with so many gorgeous staff popping in for a quip, a cup of tea, a joke, a funny comment. Amazing that visiting a nursing home can be so much fun. Especially when I find his secret stash of chocolate in the bottom drawer, and gobble up two to hos one piece!
I don’t know what I would do without you, Mama.
He is adored Julie, even by those who haven’t met him. He gives me hope and courage, and belief in humor. ❤
And what a wonderful gift it is Julie — for all of us, for everyone.
Laughter makes our hearts lighter.
I am so happy he has this attitude. It could be so much more in the negative. He is awesome!
yes, i think there are fits and starts along the path, it’s never straight. i’m so glad you continue to give and receive this wonderful gift of laughter. )
Anthony is such an inspiration – as are you! I absolutely love hearing stories about his wonderful sense of humor.
Yeah I am with Anthony too many old people in the nursing home and he doesn’t think of himself as being old
Love Anthony’s sense of humour. He is absolutely amazing.
When I was young, I knew a woman of over eighty who used to go out to help with the ‘old folks’. Good on Ants, young at heart.
We can all use a dose of laughter no matter how grim the situation. In fact, the more grim, the more valuable a sense of humor is.
Julie, it was good to read that Anthony has had some energetic and more conversational days lately. How wonderful for you both to be able to connect like this.
I had to laugh at your conversation with Anthony regarding the happy hour. We had some very similar conversations with Bob’s mother when we were discussing weather or not she wanted to go into assisted care living. Her quips at each place we visited were: “They’re all so old.” and “I don’t want to be surrounded by old people all the time.” Eventually, she made up her own mind about the subject, filed her paperwork, checked herself in, and basically told us about it after the fact.
So, in his mind, 90 is the new forty? Good way of thinking.
When you’re as young at heart as Anthony, why not enjoy those young “guys” instead? Too cute!