I saw things that made my heart ache. Despite some of the physical frailties I saw in these seniors, I observed something else when I talked with them. I discovered wisdom, intelligence and a bright spark the years couldn't take away. I saw they had emotions and memories that run strong and deep. My first job at Brewster Place was to sit down with several people in the Residential Health Center for coffee, muffins and conversation.
Residents discuss the goings-on of the world.
On my day as an attendant, I was the reader, so I opened a copy of The Topeka Capital-Journal and read through the front page. Several articles were about the census, and it was interesting to hear the older folks' comments as I explained to them about the changing population in Kansas, how rural areas quickly were becoming less populated as Kansans flocked to the cities. One woman at the table was the local expert on world events. Once a writer for The Wichita Eagle, Bonnie Byington is mostly blind and uses a wheelchair, but she listens to CNN and other news programs daily. Whenever there is a question about a newspaper article, Denna said they turn to Bonnie.