This post is submitted to Friday Fictioneers.
It wasn’t the way things were supposed to work out. The promise of having friends and family visit was one of the main selling points in moving into assisted living. The ability to maintain contacts would keep him from going insane.
Now it’s just the staff. The same old staff now wearing masks. What the hell has happened. They say the most terrible legal sentence to impose on someone was solitary confinement.
Far beyond the window, at the edge of some tall willows and behind the gate, he can see his granddaughter. Even from here he can see her crying.
Oh Danny Boy! 
This is flash at its best. Telling life as it is. Some of those in care need family as advocates.
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I felt a lump in my throat. Your story is a true and very sad reminder of what others are suffering right now. Those who are isolated and alone.
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I feel the same way.
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I have noticed, some people follow the given rules and there are those who find ways around them. I might get to see my daughter this weekend.
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I hope you are able to see her.
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As I just said elsewhere, this is today’s world in a nutshell.
I have already missed my annual spring visit to Scotland and then my grandson’s birthday.
Isolation wears different coats.
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Very sad, and true to life.
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Too true, so tragic. Well written.
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So sad. I lost my mother in April. She was in a home and I hadn’t seen her for weeks.
Here’s mine!
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That really must hurt!
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Well you’ve nailed that one. I haven’t seen my elderly folks for 3 months, and am sick of shouty phone calls due to their deafness. I wonder when me and my kids will be able to see them, they are home alone, with only neighbours for company, which thankfully they are keeping. I’m considering asking them if they’d like to move over towards us and the kids. But they’re stubborn, I know what the answer will be …
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So many sad stories such as yours. It’s heartbreaking.
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Thankfully my folks are ok, many haven’t survived and had poorly attended funerals, that’s awful. Unprecedented times
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I’m glad they are ok.
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Thank you, its very kind. They live in the sticks, have very little contact with the outside world, I suspect they’re bored.
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This is such a sad reality, and in the US, amplified by the chronic lack of PPE’s which did not allow even the consideration of allowing visitors. Not when the precious PPE’s are required for the staff to be able to offer basic care to the residents. What I understand less is the isolating WITHIN the nursing homes, of residents from each other. They are effectively quaranteened already, the way family who live in the same home does. Why not let them be with each other? Oy, these are tough times.
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Indeed they are.
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It’s been a hardship in so many ways 😦 The image of the little granddaughter crying just jumps out in your story.
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome.
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This is such a reality right now… Heartbreaking – all over the world
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heartbreaking truth.
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Indeed!
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This is unfortunately very relevant. I am glad I am not one of the people who had to make this kind of decision. A very poignant story!
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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This is truly sad, but so very real. Thanks for reminding me to contact some people I know who may be alone in their own homes and wishing they could hear from anyone.
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Someday we will find ourselves in that position. Hopefully with a better understanding and perspective.
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A sad take Danny. The deaths in care homes caused by this pandemic has been terrible. The emotional scars will take a long time to heel for many who have lost loved ones.
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I volunteer for an animal league and my dog is an “doggie diplomat” and we used to spend every Friday with folks in one of our local assisted living places. We can no longer make our visits. I have heard that they miss our weekly visits.
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I cannot even begin to imagine…. Sad photo, sadder words.
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The new normal!
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