Christmas at West Lake Terrace
Thursday December 20, 2007 -- Cathi Kerr, RN at West Lake Terrace
T ‘was the night before Christmas at good ole West Lake
And all of us seniors were trying hard to stay awake.
Our glasses, how sparkly, our wrinkles how merry;
Our punch bowl holds prune juice plus three drops of sherry.

Our great grandkids had sent us some Christmassy crafts,
Like angels in snowsuits and penguins on rafts.
The staff had all borrowed our aids and our teeth,
And from them they crafted a holiday wreath.

The walkers, so shiny, all stood in a row,
Reflecting the bedpan’s magnificent glow.
Our supper so festive – the joy wouldn’t stop –
Was creamy warm oatmeal with sprinkles on top.

Our salad was Jell-O, so jiggly and great,
With puree of fruitcake spooned onto each plate.
Then Julie from activities had us all playing games,
Like “Where are you living??” and “What are your names?”

The ole gent in the corner, was feeling his oats,
Proclaiming that reindeer are nothing but goats.
Our resident wanderer was strapped in her chair,
In hope that at bedtime, she still would be there.

The security lights on the new fallen snow,
Made the outdoors so bright, to us quite a show.
Then out on the porch, there arose quite a clatter,
But we are so deaf that it just didn’t matter.

A cheery little elf, flew in through the door,
Then tripped on the sill and fell flat on the floor.
T’was just Mary Lynn, all togged out in red,
She laughed and she chuckled and patted each head.

We knew from the way that she danced and she jived,
That the new Tena products had finally arrived.
We sang – how we sang – in our monotone croak,
Till the clock tinkled out its soft eight pm stroke.

We have Pats, and Tracys and Wandas and Sues,
And Janets and Lisas and Julies – all in twos.
From the top of the bed, to the end of the hall.
Now wheel away, walks away, shuffle away, all.

And soon we were snuggled, deep into our beds,
While nurses distribute the nocturnal meds.
And so ends our Christmas at good ole West Lake,
Merry Christmas to all, may we have no more aches.