Jacqueline Mary Ruffino-Platt
Remembering many years back when the pastor of the little church across the street from my home in New Jersey asked me to look after his father-in-law who was very old and could not feed, dress, bathe himself, and needed assistance. I was quite young at the time, 19 years old to be exact, and not certain I could handle such a responsibility. During the day, I worked at a nursing home and received classes for my upcoming nursing degree I was interested in achieving. In the evenings and weekends I took some courses to learn more about the medical profession. It was there at this nursing home that I met Charlie.
Charlie was 94 years old and weighed 89 pounds. He was so cute, polite, and had lots to say. Even though his thoughts were scattered most of the time. I didn’t realize Charlie was the father-in-law of the pastor I had met previously. One evening while my mom and I were having dinner, Charlie’s daughter came knocking on our door pleading with me to help them with Charlie, as his family wanted him close at home. I just couldn’t say no. Many emotions ran throughout my mind, my body, and especially my heart. Would I be able to take care of him and provide the very best of care and satisfy his family who loved Charlie during his wonderful life. After discussing this with my mom, both she and I agreed to follow my heart and help Charlie and his family. The pastor and his wife were pleased with my decision and offered to help with classes and work.
I would go to the pastor’s home to begin my routine at 6 a.m. Each morning began with getting Charlie out of his bed, sitting him in the chair, and making certain he was tied securely so he wouldn’t fall. Then I made his bed. The bathtub was being filled with wonderful, warm water with the sweet-smelling aromas. Most of the time I wheeled him over to the tub for his morning bath. Washed his hair and gave him a shave. He loved all the attention given to him. When this was concluded and he was dressed, I prepared his breakfast, usually oatmeal or a soft-boiled egg and some coffee. We always talked about things he was knowledgeable in. Stories he knew in the past. Charlie sprayed me many times with his oatmeal or drink he did not want. After cleaning myself off and cleaning up the breakfast arena, Charlie had to be cleaned up again, but seemed to smile at me the whole time. You just couldn’t get mad at him.
To this day, I still remember, and I was only 19 years old at the time. Now in my 80s, I still visit those who tell me stories, and I love to listen. However, I cannot perform the most difficult tasks today I achieved back then in those times. May our Lord God watch over all of us.