Four More Years with Mathilde
April 5, 2019
Our First Story with Mathilde, January 30, 2015
On a cold rainy day, under my flowered umbrella, I run into the nursing home where it is warm and cozy. After meeting with the Recreation Directors, Mary and Andrea, I head down the halls where I soon find myself hugging Sue and then Elsie and a few steps later, it is Heda who gives me a warm, loving embrace. After a brief conversation, I head toward my destination: Hall F. My first visit is at the end of the hall where two ladies were teasing Mrs. Mathilde about painting her fingernails a bright, glittery blue! I was immediately brought into the circle by these CNAs and Mrs. Mathilde; and, we giggled until the lighter nail polish was applied and the ladies moved on to another resident who would receive their tender grooming.
Left alone, I asked Mrs. Mathilde how she was doing. Her husband died on November 25, 2014, and I want to give her an opportunity to talk about the past three months when she lived through her husband’s illness and death. She answers that she is sad and misses him a lot. Thanks to family and friends who give her support, she is doing all right. She says she has many activities at the nursing home to fill her hours.
Mrs. Mathilde tells me that she has decided to crochet red scarves for heart attack victims. Her grandson’s wife, Myra Robin, suffered a near fatal heart attack about 4 years ago. She is in her forties now and Mathilde tells me that it is not only the elderly who can have serious heart conditions, the young, too, have to be aware. An article in the Teche News and the Breaux Bridge Banner featured a story about Myra. Mrs. Mathilde pulls out the article for me to read. She tells me that is where she discovered the concept of the red scarves. She tells me that she does not know exactly how to design her scarf. She has a sample scarf and her skein of red thread and has started her project. I have no doubt that she will succeed. There are other ladies in Mrs. Mathilde’s circle of friends knitting red scarves at the nursing home. The group includes 4 of the residents and even one of the nurses. They gather and knit together.
I admire this lady. In her golden years, mourning the loss of her dear friend and husband of nearly 71 years, she has the courage to learn something new and to do something wonderful for heart attack victims.
I have had a good visit and as I start to leave. Mrs. Mathilde is still thinking of others. She asks me to please stop across the hall to visit with her friend Beatrice.
When I enter Mrs. Beatrice’s room, she is sitting in her chair with her feet up and a rosary in her hand. She shared that she had realized that she could no longer live alone. She knew how dangerous it was to drive and she had gotten uncomfortable behind the wheel. So, she made the decision to come to the nursing home. She explained that she had been in her room for many years and she cannot understand why she has lived so long. She had thought upon entering the nursing home, life would end soon thereafter. She looks very peaceful and lovely. She told me that presently, she is alone in her room and that is all right with her. She has had good roommates and that was nice too. She just lives it one day at a time. What she enjoys most of all is the visits from family.
As my hour is coming to an end, I head for the dining room and on the way, I hear: “Hey la bas!”
When I realize who it is, I recalled a day in my life back in 1948. My grandfathers, Albert Arnaud and Gusman Artigue, were building our first home with inside plumbing. The plumber was Mr. A.D., this nursing home resident. I always enjoy his smile and on this day, he showed me a picture of a granddaughter who is in a program to learn carpentry. He is proud of her second, though very unusual, career.
Next, he shares that he has all of the letters he wrote his mother when he was in the military and that she had preserved them well. I challenge him to write his memoirs and he is considering it. I can hardly wait and I hope he will allow me to assist him in this project.
Upon entering the hall, mobile residents are in a race for the dining room. They tell me they are having burgers and fries and I can tell it is a special treat! I left the nursing home with a smile on my face. It is amazing the stories of these wonderful friends. I just love visiting with them. On the first Thursday of each month, a group from the Nonco Foundation, of which I am a member and supporter, meets with them for an Apostleship of Prayer meeting. Just as our Nonco walked the street delivering his Sacred Heart leaflets, the residents ask for extra leaflets to bring to roommates or family members. This is enriching and I get so much more out of it than I put in. On the fourth Thursday of each month, my sister, Mavis Arnaud Frugé, leads a French program called “Allon Parler Français.”
I stopped in this past Thursday to be part of that and I had the best time. When we were leaving, Ms. Sue, who doesn’t say much, told my sister: “That was so much fun!” It sure was. Anyone can come and participate in the activities. Volunteers welcomed!
For several days now, I have been thinking of capturing some of the stories of the J. M. Morrow Nursing Home residents and I asked the nursing home administration if it was possible. We must have permission and I will ask the residents if they want to share their stories on the nursing home website.
I checked in with one of Mrs. Mathilde’s daughters, Florine. She tells me: “I visited Mama earlier and helped with some questions about her iPad. Then, it was nearing the time for Bingo and she had planned to be there. Afterwards, she and some of her friends were going to sit together and chat. It does our hearts good knowing that this is what she does and how she thinks. Instead of just sitting in her room and not socializing, she is enjoying life.”
Mrs. Mathilde participates in all of our activities. Since we started the Apostleship of Prayer Nonco Group, I have decided to commit to visiting the residents at the nursing home every Thursday. I think they all have a special story to tell and I want to help capture the memoirs for those who follow. Visiting Mrs. Mathilde confirmed my decision. If you want to join me, just give me a call. 337-523-5832.
Stay tuned. This will be the most fun of all!
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