Moving day

Tension and uncertainty have been constant companions this past week as Ellen has continued to improve during her convalescence. Is she well enough to return home, able to live safely on her own? Clearly that is her wish, but are we simply putting off the inevitable? Ellen has lived independently since the passing of her husband nearly 40 years ago. This independence stokes & powers her turbines and defines who she is. Will she be able to relinquish it enough to fit in to the confines of assisted living?

On Friday, Glynn, Elda and I drove Ellen to Beaverton to pack up enough furniture and belongings to create a homey space for her in Olympia. She assured us she would return to Olympia without incident! I can only imagine how difficult it must have been as she watched us dismantle her little home, leaving it in disarray. She was rather quiet that day.

On Saturday morning, move in day, she awoke earlier than normal, a smile on her face and a 'let's get this show on the road' attitude. Wanting to create a welcoming space prior to Ellen's arrival, Glynn and Elda went to the retirement inn first. When Ellen entered her new apartment, she was more than pleasantly surprised. Her beloved blue oriental rug is the icing on the cake, bringing the room together along with her favorite 'Betsy Ross' lamp, annoying shrill kitchen clock, treasured quilt made by Alaskan friends, and familiar knick knacks placed here and there.

The afternoon was spent arranging drawers and closet space, running to nearby Fred Meyer to stock her tiny refrigerator and orienting Ellen to the 'lay of the land'. The staff wanted Ellen to navigate the dinner hour on her own which she was able to do successfully.


After her dinner, we popped in for a quick visit at which time she said, 'I think I'm going to be quite happy here in my new little space. Thank you all for your hard work. End of subject.'

Ellen will have her days of discontent where she will long for that which she thinks will make her happy. Our task is to help her remember, as we remember ourselves, that 'we are all just as about as happy as we make up our minds to be'.