Introduction

My name is Vintage Vantage. I chose this pen name because of my position to observe aging. I work in Administration an upscale nursing home in the midwest.

Many a morning there is a death notification left on my voice mail overnight with the name and room number of the person that passed on. If I am not acquainted with that resident I just cross their name off my list and go about my day. Occasionally though I pause and count my blessings that person is not my parent or loved one who has died.

A few days ago while rushing around to set up a workshop I saw a gentlemen out of the corner of my eye. I will call him Bruce. He is in a wheelchair suffering from end stage Parkinson's Disease. There is a spark of understanding in his eye even though his speech is quite delayed and his body movement is minimal. I wondered what Bruce thinks about all day while watching the rest of the world go by. His family? Was he a good Dad? Was his successful career worth the time he spent? I couldn't wait to go home and hug my children and thank my husband for all the love we share. In the days I am able to communicate and enjoy health, I want to create memories to relive when I am old and frail. I want to my life to be well lived, not just well intentioned.