CHECKERS

Ninety-seven year old “Olive” suffers from end stage cardiac disease. She has been widowed for years and had been living alone until recently when she moved in with her son and his family. Olive needs help during her day. She uses a walker to get around.

I went out to shadow our chaplain during her visit today. Before the visit, the chaplain told me about Olive and how she loves to play checkers. The chaplain plays three to four games with each weekly visit. Her goal is to get Olive to open up spiritually if and when she needs to do so.

Olive had me from the moment I walked into her home. She had us all laughing with her delightful sense of humor. She will laugh so easily. She loves to tease and just laughs so much harder if you tease her back.

Olive couldn’t wait for the chaplain to set up the checker board. As usual, Olive won all three games. She is so good at Checkers, her family won’t play with her. Olive’s nine year old grandson was visiting. He says he plays with Granny. He added that he wins some of the times.

Olive has so much spunk and energy, I would have guessed her age fifteen years younger than her nine-seven years. She is a gem and a role model for all of us in how to fully enjoy life. There isn’t much that can get her down. Way to go Olive!!!!


CHECKERS

　
She loves to play checkers.
She’ll beat you most every time.
She laughs when she’s jumps your man,
but equally giggles when you jump hers.

She’ll share life stories while she plays.
Reminiscing about the olden days.
Telling us about when they bought their first home.
The down payment, not money, but an old Packard they owned.

She has a great sense of humor.
Laughing at how she’s going to tease her son.
Knowing he will phone tonight.
Looking forward to his nightly call.

She doesn’t look or act her age.
If one guesses, they likely would be wrong.
She has so much life and energy.
Her mind is as sharp as they come.

She’ll continue to laugh; to share her life.
She’ll continue to play her game.
“Well come on, set up the checker board”,
just like she has for almost all of her
         ninety-seven years.