Not throwing back very far: It was a week ago that #1 Daughter and I sprang Mom from That Joint. I was very glad to learn — too late for her stay, alas — that her beloved Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital (Sir H for short) does take “sub-acute” patients and she could have gone there from the hospital.

Her stay in That Joint could have been worse, of course. Her nurses, though madly understaffed, were good and involved and caring. Her therapists were stellar. And her roommate was absolutely grand.

Here is Mom’s favorite therapist, Casey. He was her Speech Therapist, and exercised her memory by playing cards with her. Also: he didn’t make her do physical exercises.

Good Guys Guy #1

This is her roommate. Her son died about a week after she arrived. Nothing, not even that, kept her from keeping track of the well-being of everybody around her. Her patience, good humor, intelligence, and compassion inspired me every day.

Good Guys #2

I dropped in to see her the other day, and she said they’ve had a light outtage and two deaths since Mom got sprung.

They had a hand-held shower head there that I coveted for Mom, so I went and bought one. We used it yesterday, with me standing outside the shower using it to wash and rinse her hair.

I got wet feet, which threw me back many years, to #4 Daughter, who would get out of the tub or the pool or the rain and would sing, “I got wet feet — like a little seal — who just got out from a swimming less’n!”

Good times, with #4 Daughter. And props to #1 Daughter, who drove the getaway car.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Who inspired your main character positively?

MA