Elizabeth’s story

By Joel Johnson of Fargo

In 1995, I started a new job at the Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo. I would go to work at 6 a.m. as part of the early morning floor care shift. My duty was to provide a healthy, sanitary environment in the building for the residents’ home. Elizabeth was one of the elderly residents of the home.

One morning during my first week of employment, she was sitting in her wheelchair in the doorway of her room with a kind spirit about her. Elizabeth gave me a warm welcome to start my day as she was ready to go for breakfast that morning.

I did not know Elizabeth prior to my employment at the home, but over the months ahead I got to know Elizabeth better. She was 98 years old, very alert, talkative, and had a cheerful smile about her that she shared with everyone. Some mornings I could see her walking the hallway for her physical strength and conditioning.

As the weeks progressed, I made it a point in my early morning routine to go by Elizabeth’s room to share a smile with her as my day began. As I approached the doorway of her room, she would often extend her hand with a warm smile and often a hug. She knew how to brighten your workday in return.

One morning, Elizabeth’s care provider, Kari, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), was busy helping the other residents and asked if I would take Elizabeth down for breakfast. With a genuine smile, I agreed to escort her in her wheelchair for breakfast. Getting to know Elizabeth over the years of my employment has been enjoyable as it lifted her spirits and impacted both our lives.

December 1995 brought along Elizabeth’s 99th birthday. I got to enjoy her birthday with her family as they gathered together at the home. Christmas season quickly followed. It was my pleasure to help Elizabeth mail Christmas cards to her family members.

January 1997, a cold blustery winter storm hit the Fargo community. I told Elizabeth as I bypassed her room at the end of my shift that I was going home for the day. As she was looking out her window, she could hardly see anything with the strong gusts of wind hitting and blowing snow against her window. She looked at me and was concerned about the storm. She asked me to give her a call when I arrived home so she would know that I made it home safely. She was relieved to hear that I made it home safely.

February 1998, Elizabeth, now 102, decided to play bingo for the Sunday afternoon activity for the day. I offered to help her cover the bingo numbers, which she agreed. She ended up getting a bingo. I yelled bingo for her as she selected her prize. She selected a little stuffed dog in Valentine colors that read “Happy Valentine’s Day.” She quickly grabbed that prize as she reached over her shoulder and squeezed my hand for me to take this gift from her.

November 2000, one month before her 105th birthday, was a sad day as it brought on the last day of her life. I joined her family at the home as hugs were exchanged and expressed among family and staff alike.

I truly felt I was part of her extended family. It  was with a deep pleasure to bring connection, joy, and support to her as she faced the aging of life.

The impact you can have on the elderly is one of the most rewarding things you can experience as you touch their lives. This was a simple act of kindness and gratitude I wanted to share with Elizabeth. The world is hugged by the acts of kindness as she out-lived her two sons.