Blog Ideas

Sandy’s Nose Bleed

From time to time friends suggest to me ideas for blogs. One of my friends in Indiana has custodial responsibility for a cousin of hers who is mentally challenged and has been put in a care facility. Sandy is quite a handful and since my friend has stipulated no unnecessary medications be given her the staff at the facility calls her often to report Sandy’s latest uproar.  Recently Sandy had a nosebleed that the staff was having a bit of trouble getting under control. Sandy does not want them near her, let alone touching her, so she was knocking heads and trying to instigate some other nose bleeds. They called to tell my friend that they were taking Sandy to the emergency room and she advised against it. They, as often with medical professionals, and most of us for that matter, were not in listening mode.

An hour or so later my friend got another call about a may lay at the emergency room. Sandy it appeared was winning the second bout of the match as well. My friend just smiled knowing as soon as they quit messing with Sandy that she would settle down and the nose bleed would stop on its own. My friend was right. She often is especially when it comes to her cousin.

Once when I was in Indiana I visited Sandy in the care facility where she lives. She was in a wheel chair in the day room with several other residents. She didn’t say much but her eyes spoke volumes. She was wary and very attentive to all that was going on around her. I tried to be friendly and spoke kindly to her and several of the people there that day. I even sang a couple of Sinatra songs to them. I hope my last years on this planet are not spent in such a care facility but if they are and my mind and voice survive I will be singing concerts to all who will sit still for it. I have been practicing all my life to sing. I do not claim to have the best of voices but I can make a joyful noise and in my humble opinion that could be of great use in care facilities and just about everywhere. There is a line I recall, “Music has charms to soothe the savage beast.” Well, I don’t know how well it works on lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my, Dorothy, but it seems to work on people.

I wonder if anybody tried to sing to Sandy? I have never tried it for nosebleeds but it might have saved a may lay in the emergency room. I hope Sandy has a peaceful night and all of my friends. I can still hear my first little sweetheart, Shirley Temple, singing, “Good night, Sweetheart. Good night, Sweetheart. God bless you. Nighty night, Sweetheart.” Sweet Dreams to all, night and day.
 
Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White