My wife, Celeste, went to Georgia last week to stay with her aunt and visit her grandmother, who is living in a nursing home down the road from her aunt’s house.  Celeste’s mother and sister Ashley went as well.  Ashley also had her little ones, who are two and a little under a year (I’m a guy, I can’t do the "however many months old" thing), with her.

Celeste called home each night and would fill me in on how their day at the nursing home went.  In general Celeste found it depressing, which I can understand.  Beyond the fact that her grandmother is not very well, almost all of the residents are in the midst of dementia, have a hard time feeding themselves, wear diapers, etc.

On the other hand, she said that when Ashley’s little ones were anywhere near one of the residents that person would instantly perk up.  Their eyes would light up, they would say something like "Baby!" and just come to life in general.  Celeste said it was a wonder to see, and she also said that it made for some fun moments, especially with the two year old, Jason.  For example:

• When one woman held out her hand to Jason he thought she was asking for a high-five and proceeded to slap her hand, which caused the poor woman to pull her hand away as if she’d just touched a hot stove.
• Jason considered these folks potential new playmates.  Unfortunately their wiring just wasn’t fast enough for him, so when he asked "Do you like my truck?" and didn’t get a quick enough response he followed up with a staccato "Huh, huh, huh?"  Each "huh" would provoke a spasm from the residents which I’m sure made the room look like it was full of human popcorn.
• Finally, upon first seeing a resident in a wheelchair Jason commented, "That sure is one big stroller."

Based on these conversations with Celeste I’ve decided that if I ever need to be in a home I want it to be one that is regularly visited by toddlers.  I say toddlers because in a few years Jason’s perspective will have changed and he’ll see the nursing home as we see it, and not as a big house full of potential playmates. 

I also hope that if I’m ever the one sitting in the wheelchair I can see it as a stroller and not a prison, and that I can adopt that perspective from this point on in my life.  That’s one glass that is seriously half-full.