Every Person Has A Story

One of the most amazing works of literature I had the pleasure of recently reading is a novel entitled
Tender Is The Night. A beautifully crafted novel about a love affair of two people and the strength of their love when confronted by demons of mental illness and alcoholism.
Marks mother and I had lunch today and I was amazed to learn that she herself had read this book. We discussed it. Each having some similar view points and also different interpretations of various things contained within.
At sixty three years old,Mommy Clarke has lived. She has seen. As she said today..."Love.....is an emotion that the young AND the old can relate to."

When I worked in the nursing home I was enthralled at learning each residents life history. For examples: One resident, now aphasic and who's limbs are riddled with contractures was once a Radio City Music Hall Dancer........AND dated former President Ronald Regan while they both attended college.
Another woman, now in her 50's and mentally ill was driven to madness by finding her husband in their bed making love to another woman. In a fit of rage, she got a gun and shot them both. And then she turned the gun on herself. In the end, she lost the full function of her body, her husband and her sanity.
At the end of each shift, I would leave and go home to live the rest of my life.....and there they stayed to live out theirs. Sad really, most have no visitors. They were admitted in to the facility......deposited...forgotten....like unclaimed luggage. Out of sight.....out of mind.
As a nurse, I have heard every excuse imaginable from unseen family members and their "excuses" for not visiting. Examples such as: "Well...mom doesn't even know me anymore..she doesn't know if I come or not." I always think "But YOU know...but if you can live with that...well, ok." Then there is the usual: "It's just to painful to see grandma like that." In my mind I yearn to say:"Not as painful as it is for me to have and hear her ask every ten minutes if you have called and said when and if you are coming to visit."
I am different than most I guess. When I form a tie with someone in whatever respect. I find myself at some point during a day wondering how they are. If they are O.K. I Guess I am to sentimental in some respects.
I don;t see an aging face as just a sign of getting older. I see each wrinkle as a story. An adventure waiting to be shared. In their stories.....I have heard the answers to a few of lifes questions that I have had from time to time........