It has taken several weeks to sort out the red tape of me volunteering at Anthony’s nursing home. Okay, let me explain: I will now get paid a small allowance if I do 15 hours of volunteer work per week at a not-for-profit organization.
As it happens, Anthony’s nursing home is not-for-profit so last week the Events Coordinator, Ev, showed me the ropes and suggested things like playing cards with Nat, an 83-year-old woman with Parkinson’s Disease and numerous other afflictions, who is in a wheelchair. Then Ev said, “You can always bring Anthony to sit and watch.” My heart did a somersault.
Well, since I already know Nat, it wasn’t exactly difficult to break the ice on Monday, but I was still nervous. I got to the nursing home before noon and helped Ants with his lunch and explained the volunteer thing then I left my bag and scarf in his room, so he would know I was coming back. Then I went to find Ev who wheeled Nat up to the dining room so we could sit at a table for the most complicated card game I have ever played! [more about that tomorrow]
Nat: At a loose end are you, love?
Me: No! I’ve become a volunteer here and you are my first victim, Nat.
Nat cracked up laughing. She is quite famous for her huge, loud, beautiful laugh. Then she said, “Go and get Anthony.”
So I did.