For this exercise, I took my original version of Giving and Receiving. I decided to use Aunt Rita as the character who is writing a letter to someone (her friend Helen) not in the story, telling her what is happening in the story.
Dear Helen,
You can't imagine how glad I was to get your call! People have been stopping by off and on; but I can't help but wonder if it's just out of a sense of obligation rather than really wanting to see me. There I go again, feeling sorry for myself. I try to keep a positive attitude, but it is so hard in this place. It just doesn't seem fair that I have to spend my "twilight" years in a nursing home. I hate how the aides talk to me like I'm a child. The food is actually tolerable, but the atmosphere is really depressing. There is a woman in the next room who constantly screams for tapioca pudding. By the end of my first day, I was ready to dump of can of the stuff over her head! I've gotten used to it though; I almost don't even hear it anymore.
My nephew Kevin stopped by the other day. You know he's always been my favorite, though I would never tell anyone in the family. We had a really nice chat. He offered to work with Carol to get some of my things out of storage to personalize my cell...oops I mean room!
I think the hardest part for me is coming to grips with the idea that I'll probably never get out of here. It's really hard to be hopeful when there seems to be no hope at all. Last night I had a dream about Jack Kevorkian. Remember him? He is (or should I say was, I don't know if he's still alive) the "suicide doctor." You don't need to read too much into what that dream meant.
I put on a happy face for most of the family, but I'm grateful that with you Helen, I can let it all hang out. I really look forward to seeing you once your legs are better. How is therapy going? Please call again soon, I really enjoy our conversations.
Love,
Rita.
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