Feeling wanted

I visited a Rene, today a lady who has recently come out of hospital.

Just before she had gone into hospital, I had started paying her regular visits. I had got the 'regular call'  because I appeared to be the only one who could get her to answer the door.

I can’t claim to be much better than any of the other carers, as there was a simple answer to this conundrum; I turned up later than all the other carers and she was out of the shower by the time I arrived.

Going back to the story. It was my weekend off when she came out of hospital, so another carer popped into see her and by the Sunday she had rang the office to say she wanted Andrew back (that’s me, by the way,  I have no idea why she calls me Andrew)

‘I have nothing against the other man’ she said when I arrived, ‘but you know exactly what I want’

‘Why thank you Rene, I am deeply touched, It’s nice to feel wanted’ I replied

'Well you do!'


As I drove away I pondered over the conversation. What exactly did I do for her?

Whenever I arrive she is having her dinner and usually has a tipple with her meal, so I don’t make a cup of tea. I can’t wash up because she is still eating, the house is always immaculate, so nothing to do there and she is responsible for taking her medication.

So what exactly is it that I do.

I sit down and talk for ten minutes.

As a footnote to me being called Andrew. Whilst visiting recently Rene was telling a nurse how nice it was for me to be doing her housework, but stumbled as she went to say my name as she wasn't sure if she had got it right.
'It is Andew isn't?
'No It's Ian'
'Oh I am sorry, I thought it was Andrew'
'No problem' says I 'I've been called a lot worse'
five minutes later she says 'Do you mind dusting the curtain rail Andy You don't mind if I call you Andy instead of Andrew do you? '
'Not at all Rene'