This morning was my last at Lynnwood Lodge. We were busy this morning getting packed up to leave. I was all packed up and was heading up to my grandma's on the 6th floor when I became involved in a bit of a dust-up in the elevator. Two people got on with me on the ground floor. They went on ahead of me and I don't think the gentleman knew I was standing behind him trying to get in. The woman snapped at him "Paul! Move out of the way so she can get in!" He apologized and stepped aside. She was getting out on the 2nd floor, he needed the 3rd and I needed the 6th. When we stopped at the second floor they both got out. Well, she was not going to let him get off on the wrong floor...so she barked "get back in! You don't get off here" and she pushed on his arm. Well he was having none of that. "Dont push me around, lady! Who the hell do you think you are!?" And then he smacked her with his church bulletin, which I immediately saw the irony in. I stood helpless with my finger on the open button. Would he stay on the 2nd floor just to spite her? Or would he get back in the elevator with me? In order to break the tension and avoid further assault by the word of the lord, I quietly asked if he would like to go to the third floor. He said "I'll come with you (meaning me) but I won't forget this (meaning her.) Once the doors were closed he told me that she was a trouble maker. No kidding!

A retirement home is much more like a school yard than you might think. There were the mean girls that were bitching behind our backs that we were playing cards at a table in the lounge instead of the games room...speaking loudly enough that we could hear them...and not being very nice about it. There's the single guy that everyone thinks is good looking. The new "kids" have to sit at a table by themselves until a spot opens up at a cooler table. But mostly it's like school because there is a large group of people brought together based on their age alone. They are all so different from one another in how they dress, how they think. They all have their own traditions around meal time and social etiquette. And yet for the most part they all live peacefully together, making friendships and keeping each other company while they are asked to spend this time together. It is really very sweet to see...and I am really glad to have had this time to experience it first hand. I feel good knowing my grandma now calls this place home.

I am now at the Ottawa airport. I have over 2 hours until my flight leaves and those who know me could probably figure out that very soon I will be very bored. I think I will go grab a coffee and spend some time out in the sunshine before I go through security. I better go freshen up in case there's a cavity search.