Frances

Through March and April, I heard about Frances, but never saw her. She is one of the oldest residents at Walpan and had been taking meals in her room. But on Tuesday, May 1, I came to visit at lunch and Frances was sitting at her table. She is, indeed, very senior, with skin as translucent as rice paper; seemingly no fat content at all, and a strong curvature of the spine. Her hair is pure white and cut in a Louise Brooks bob, and she wears thick glasses. Ruth and Grace were there too. I learned that the first Tuesday of each month, Marleen, the beautician, comes and sets up a beauty shop in the basement where she colors hair, cuts and styles, does manicures and whatever the clients want. Nikky was downstairs being beautified, and the other women were waiting their turns.

I introduced myself to Frances. I told her and the others that Samy's kindergarten class was planning to write letters to all of the residents of Walpan. They had learned their letters and many words, and were excited about having pen-pals. Then, the residents could write back, and in June, the class would come and visit. Grace and Ruth thought this was a lovely idea, but Frances said, "You can count me out." "Why," I asked? "People always think the elderly need befriending, and when they do, they expect something in return. Don't expect me to write letters to anyone. I'm not going to be anyone's project."

That certainly left me speechless!