Gossiping About the Old Folks

My son did not have an easy time finding a summer job.  The market still sucks here, and nobody wants to hire and train someone who can only work for a few months before leaving to go back to school.  He applied to about 40 places over spring break and never heard back from any of them.

Big Sister to the rescue!  My oldest daughter messaged the administrator of the assisted living facility she was a nurse's aide for three years during her winter and summer breaks during college.  The administrator said to send him right in for an interview and told him he was getting the job because, "Your sister is the best employee we've ever had."

Even according to my daughter, that's not saying much!  You don't have many go-getters working at these sorts of places, sadly.  Then again, pay a decent wage and you'd get better people.  But I'm wandering now . . .

On his second day of work, my son had this encounter with a lady we will call "Mabel" during the break between breakfast and lunch.  (He is working in Dining Services):

Mabel:  "Get me a salad or I'm going to kick your ass!"
Son:  "I don't think I can do that."
Mabel:  "Oh yes I can!!!!"

Another day, he caught Mabel using a butter knife to try to cut up the plastic tablecloths.  He was told to only give her plastic utensils from now on.  She has asked him to get her some regular silverware, and when he tells her he can't do that, she promptly replies, "Go to Hell!"  My son is about the easiest going person on the planet, so he just laughs off all of this stuff (and secretly loves the drama, I'm sure).  Most days, the most interesting thing that happens is someone will ask him, "What's a waffle?" when he is asking them their menu choices.

He is now Mabel's favorite.  She tries to get his attention everyday, usually by calling him any name she can come up with . . . George, Tiny Tim, Boy.  My son is 6'1".

One evening when his sister was home, he showed her the current dining room seating chart.  They sat on the couch for an hour, talking about all the residents.  She's been gone from the job for 2.5 years, but she still knew about 70% of the residents.  Even though they were imitating the various voices and gaits of those old folks, the gossip warmed my heart.  I miss those days when all my kids lived at home and talked and played together.