Made for Smiles

Asherel had her monthly volunteer stint helping the residents at the Assisted Living Home learn how to draw. This month, they wanted to draw a bird so she brought a picture of a toucan.
One of the residents was always very solicitous of my mother in law. He leads an exercise class and told me Mom K was his best and favorite student. He always sits by her at events when he can.
"How's Gert?!" he asked, as soon as he saw me, "No one here will tell me anything!"
"Well, she's still in the hospital," I said, "She's ok, but she has been better...."
He looked sad and I wished I could have been more optimistic, said something hopeful. She will not be returning to the assisted living home unless a miracle happens. She will need full skilled nursing care. Arvo is out again chatting with social workers and home administrators to find the best match for her needs. She will be in the hospital till at least Tuesday.
"She did eat a little icecream," I offered Joe.
He nodded and smiled, "That's good!"

Asherel pulled out the picture of the Toucan.
"What's that? A pelican?" asked Joe. His sadness seemed obliterated by the funny bird.
"A toucan," I said.
"Looks like a pelican," he laughed, " A funny bird is the pelican. His beak can hold more than his belly can."

Asherel taught the residents how to draw the toucan, step by step. As usual, three of the residents handed my their paper and said, "You draw it!"
"No,I'll help you, but you draw it," I laughed.
And they did. As the hour flew by, we talked about what Toucan's eat with that big beak. Snakes, frogs, but mostly fruit.
"Frogs are delicious," said Paul, who was very meticulous with his drawing.

When Joe finished his picture, he said, "We should name our birds."
He wrote a name under his picture: Pelly.
"Well my, my," said Clara, "My first work of art." She gazed at her picture.
"What kind of bird is this again?" asked Josie.
"A toucan," I said.
Josie carefully wrote "toucan" under her picture.
"Is that your art student?" asked Joe, as Asherel and I packed up to leave.
"Well, she's my daughter," I said, "But I did teach her to draw."
"Well if you bring another art student, make sure you bring one as pretty as her," he said smiling.
We asked them what they would like to draw next month, and they all agreed they wanted to draw a daffodil.
"With a penguin!" said Joe.
"No!" said the ladies, "Just the daffodil!"
We walked out and it occurred to me that the next time I would be back would be to clean out Mom K's room. We would be taking her furniture and clothes to some other place, a place of strangers. I didn't know how I would be able to tell Joe.

I asked Asherel when we left if she had enjoyed teaching the class. She said she had. Asherel and I had a vigorous discussion of what would be the best angle for the daffodil drawing next month, and how to make it easy for them to use colored pencils to color the flower. It is good to plan ahead to the season of rebirth. It is always nice to remember flowers in the dead of winter, when the image of grey skies and hospitals become too oppressive. Better to dwell on beauty, and images of toucans, one of God's creations surely made to make us smile.


Song of Solomon 2:12-13 (NIV)
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. [13] The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”