General Chat

I remember a time when I used to worry myself silly over Christmas expenses, but I would never have got into debt over it - just spent what we could afford. :-) :-)

Now we don't have any money worries, so we can be more generous :-D :-D

Good Afternoon :-)

Talking about xmas, I keep thinking about the vast sums of money being spent and those who will have to depend on Food Banks :-(

Afternoon Piers :-) :-) <3

I really feel sorry for people who can't afford to buy food, at Christmas or any time of the year. When we are out shopping, we always buy extra items for our local Food Bank. :-) :-)

Hi GinN :-) <3

Yes, we do too :-)

How's your hubby - any news yet?

He's fine thanks, Piers. It takes about 3 weeks for results to come through, but we don't think he will have anything to worry about. :-) :-) :-)

That's good to hear, GinN :-) :-)

Emma and Fly? - are you writing your Christmas cards? :-D :-D :-D ;-) ;-) ;-)

can someone do mine for me please :-0 :-0 :-0

Cranky Old Man - See Me.
(Unknown Composer).

What do you see, nurses, what do you see,
what are you thinking when you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man, not very wise,
uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes.

Who dribbles his food and makes no reply
when you say in a loud voice, “I do wish you’d try!”
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
and forever is losing a sock or shoe.

Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will
with bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you’re not looking at me.

I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
as I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother,
brothers and sisters, who love one another.

A young boy of sixteen, with wings on his feet,
dreaming that soon now a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at twenty – my heart gives a leap,
remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now, I have young of my own
who need me to guide and a secure happy home.
A man of thirty, my young now grown fast,
bound to each other with ties that should last.

At forty my young sons have grown and are gone,
but my woman’s beside me to see I don’t mourn.
At fifty once more babies play round my knee,
again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my wife is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
and I think of the years and the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old man and nature is cruel;
’tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
there is now a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young boy still dwells,
and now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
and I’m loving and living life over again.

I think of the years – all too few, gone too fast
and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
not a cranky old man; look closer – See Me!

==================================

A Nurse’s Reply to a Cranky Old Man poem.

What do we see, you ask, what do we see?
Yes we are thinking when looking at thee!

We may seem hard when we hurry and fuss,
But there’s many of you and too few of us.

We would like far more time to sit by you and talk,
To bathe you and feed you and help you to walk,

To hear of your lives and the things you have done;
Your childhood, your husband, your daughter, your son.

But time is against us, there’s too much to do —
Patients too many and nurses too few.

We grieve when we see you so sad and alone,
With nobody near you, no friends of your own.

We feel all your pain, and know of your fear,
That nobody cares now your end is so near.

But nurses are people with feelings as well,
And when we’re together you’ll often hear tell,

Of the dearest old gran in the very end bed,
And the lovely old dad and the things that he said.

We speak with compassion and love, and feel sad,
When we think of your lives and the joy that you’ve had.

When the time has arrived for you to depart,
You leave behind an ache in our heart.

When you sleep the long sleep, no more worry or care.
There are other old people, and we must be there.

So please understand if we hurry and fuss —
There are many of you, and too few of us.

Hi Dermot :-D :-D I love those two poems and have them in my keeps. When my g,daughter started work in a care home for Dementia sufferers I printed them off for her. <3 <3

Thanks, Dermot - very thought provoking :-D ;-)


Hya Barb :-D :-D <3 <3 - are you putting off the task too? :-D ;-) ;-)

Hi GinN :-D <3
I hand delivered xmas and birthday cards to my bros family yesterday and have written out a few to post but I keep putting the rest off till tomorrow .

can't get my mojo going, :-( :-( :-(

I know what you mean, Barb - I've written my cards, done the shopping, but I'm finding it hard to get into the Christmas spirit. Not a lot of mojo here, either. :-( ;-) ;-)

Miss Christmas Mojo helper here....how may I help you :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D ;-)

Hya Mersey :-D :-D <3 <3 ;-)

Have you enjoyed shopping trip? And found some foam bananas? :-D :-D ;-) ;-) :-D


Take no notice of us Grinches - our mojos will get into the groove before long ;-) ;-) ;-)

Me Christmas tree lights aren't working, so we're all decorated apart from a sad and unadorned tree :-( :-(

Hiya GiN I got em and a few others things too :-D :-D ;-)

You cant have a christmas tree without lights :-0 :-0

And I can't put me baubles in it 'til we get some new ones, Mersey :-0 :-D ;-)

Will get some on Tuesday. :-D I don't like those LED ones, though - too harsh :-| ;-)

Nothing worse than dull baubles GiN :-0 ;-)

My baubles are gorgeous, Mersey :-D :-D - every one is different, collected from lots of places over the years :-D :-D

So I don't want those harsh, blue LED lights spoiling their effect :-| ;-) ;-)

Making tea now, so catch you later :-D ;-) <3

Munchkin :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D ;-)