A Treasure

I’ve got a soft spot for Eloise. Ever since the first time I’d gone visiting at the Chanticleer Home, I’d enjoyed listening to her stories about life in turn-of-the-century Maine. I’ve gotten to know all about her growing up with five brothers who were a singing act. I was let in on the details of her travels through life and her memories which she displayed like a prized strand of pearls. Eloise.

Eloise had let me know about a month ago that she was having a sharp pain in her side, but she enthusiastically dismissed my fears, telling me that she was a tough old broad. A few weeks later, when there weren’t so many of us AGS volunteers at the rest home, I got some time to spend with her, just chatting away like old buddies. I noticed right off that she had a large bandage over her forehead. She told me that she’d had a small tumor removed the previous morning. I was mortally afraid she was getting ill.

I don’t remember my grandmothers. One died before I was born and the other shortly after. Eloise represented a grandmother to me, and I was afraid to lose someone I had just found. Once again she allayed my fears, brushing aside my concerns with an heroic wave of her hand. She spent the next half hour towing me around the garden, letting me in on the rest home gossip - who was sleeping with who, who was good, who was bad.

This last time, however, was different. Even though I got the million dollar smile, it faded quickly, and was replaced by a worried frown.

“Robert, I’m scared.” she told me in a deadpan, serious voice, the doctor says I’ve got to go in for a battery of tests tomorrow morning.”

I knew it was serious if she was worried enough to talk about it. I let her unload on me, letting her know I was there in any way she needed. Later, after I left, I realized how much she’s come to mean to me.

AGS is a special organization, if for no other reason than for the opportunity I had for getting to know Eloise. She and I don’t think she’ll be around much longer, but in the meantime, AGS’s program HOWIE (Hanging Out With Interesting Elderlies) gives us all a chance to provide a shoulder to lean on for these folks who are lonely and afraid. Their smiles are like magic and their lives are like treasures just waiting for someone to come by and claim.

I can’t say I claimed Eloise, but I sure can say she claimed me. I will always hold a very special place in my heart for her. When her time comes, I will miss her. It will be hard to go back to the rest home afterwards, but I’ll be there the very next time for one very important reason. I would never miss the chance to meet another Eloise. Truly, a treasure beyond price.

...Robert Hill