Evelyn Zinger

 

Sometimes you make connections
In the oddest of places, in the darkest of hours 
And found lasting friendships through acts of compassion

Hard, long hours drag by but your friendship and laughter 
Help make the night-shift sail by
Work goes much faster and smiles last longer
With someone to share in my dreams and my laughter

What is life's meaning without companionship’s unwavering support
Darkness would be darker without your friendship's torch
To cast away the darkest of the night

Though decades part us in age
And time lines your beloved face
While I'm fighting acne and teen angst 
You've meant so much to me
We've a kinship not forged in blood or age
Your smile lights up the dark hallway
An eccentric joker to ease the tension

You've always been wonderful to me
Sharing your life stories and jokes that that me red faced gasping

I wanted to show you how much your kindness and friendship means to me
I believe ‘I love you’ sums it up nicely. 


 

 

 

Evelyn Zinger was a nut, in a good way. She had flaming red hair, drawn on eyebrows and huge green eyes, amazingly stunning eyes. And a dent in her forehead she’d gotten after brain surgery. 
Evelyn’s mind reminded me of a CD that skipped. Most of the time she was very intelligent, sharp witted and wise. Other times her brain skipped and she forgot where she was and that her husband had been dead for many years. But even when her mind was off she was always fun to be around. She was able to see through fake people and she despised them. I was her favorite, she called me her Mandy. Even when she wasn't herself she knew me and trusted me. 
A nursing home resident never gets a real tub bath unless they have a bedsore or another condition that necessitates it. Evelyn was the kind of woman who would have soaked in the tub with a glass of wine for hours. So one night at 2 am I filled the whirlpool tub and loaded it overflowing with bubbles. Evelyn was already up watching C-SPAN as usual so I brought her down to the shower room and popped her in the whirlpool. 
I will never forget the sight of her with her redhead tossed back, eyes closed, make-up running down her cheeks as bubbles damn near covered her face they were so high. 
Evelyn was one of many residents I’ve loved over the years and she will always be special to me.

 

 

By Amanda M. Burns 2000
For Evelyn Zinger my resident at Mt. Washington Care Center

 

© Amanda Saylor nee Burns. All rights reserved