In 6 days my Gramma will be 100.
And she lives with me.
Volunteering at Wayside Waifs
Today my son and I are starting volunteer work at Wayside Waifs. He was interested in doing more helping in the community (and I’m interested in spending more 1-on-1 time with him; there’s precious little of that with Gramma in the house), so I reached out to about 3 organizations and Wayside Waifs replied first.
Then we had to go through orientation. 48 signed up; only 24 came. I won’t go into detail about getting my teenage son up early on a Saturday morning to attend…
Their orientation was impressive. The woman who quit her job to be a full time volunteer was passionate about her work. Part of the facility is new and it is set on 50 acres. To say I’m impressed (so far!) is an understatement.
My husband is sure he will come home to half a dozen puppies this evening. He needn’t worry. I’m a one-dog woman, and somehow we already have two (loooong story!), so I’m already overloaded with dog dander.
Life with Gramma and a dog
Gramma LOVES our dogs. Like, A LOT. When she first moved in, we only had Chai (best dog ever!). She can never remember her name (international terms seem to be a mental block for a 100yo Midwestern farmer’s wife) but she will run her old fingers together (like a snap) and Chai will come.
When we first got Chai, I put my foot down and said no feeding her at the table. (Our older kids disposed of unwanted vegetables/meat to former dog members of the family.) So Chai slept on the couch while we ate and never begged at the table.
Enter Gramma.
She fed her the first time she sat at the table! When I gently scolded her, she’d slip the meat into a napkin, put the napkin in her lap, and sneak it to Chai under the table.
How do you get onto your 100yo Gramma about feeding the dog at the table?!?
I was just glad she felt better enough to sit at the table and be a little ornery!
Once this has happened, it’s very difficult to correct.
Ah well. Maybe the full time volunteer at Wayside Waifs will have some tips for me this afternoon!
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
A PECULIAR PEOPLE;
that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light: (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)