Yesterday,
I met the un-merriest checker ever at Walmart in Columbia. The light was lit that indicated the lane was open, so Harold and I put our items on the belt. We could
see the checker, who was supposed to be on duty, deep in conversation with
another woman. Finally, she spotted us as we patiently waited for someone to ring
up our purchases.
She
sauntered over, not saying a word or even giving a hint of a smile, and picked
up the items, one by one, scanning. The total came up, she glared and nodded
toward the credit card machine. I scanned the card, and she handed me the
receipt. Then, she begrudgingly murmured “Thank you,” beneath her breath.
Anyway, she said something that ended in “you.” I wouldn’t a hundred percent
swear the first word was “thank.”
“Wow! She
was rude,” I said just as soon as I was out of earshot. Yes, maybe I should
have challenged her to her face, but I’m not passive-aggressive so I didn’t say
it loud enough for her to overhear.
I know
she had a voice because we interrupted her conversation. I don’t know what her
problem was. She certainly wouldn’t be in contention for employee of the month.
It was
disconcerting to see someone act that way in a retail business offers a high level of customer
service, but some people just don’t do holidays well. People who have suffered
a tragedy at Christmas time often endure rather than enjoy.
Holiday cheer and noise don’t bode well for people with dementia. A lot of holiday chaos can send a person with Alzheimer’s
into a tailspin.
Just a
few suggestions to make the holidays easier if you have a loved one with
dementia:
1.
Keep the celebrations
simple. It is much better to have an intimate dinner than a huge family
gathering. If it’s too hard for you to host the holiday celebration, ask
someone else to host it.
2.
Be kind to yourself!
If it’s too much to maintain all the traditions of holidays past, choose the
ones that mean the most. Especially, if they are ones you can let your loved
one share with you. Can your loved one ice the Christmas cookies?
3.
Take time for yourself. Find a
few moments to indulge yourself. You could go to a Christmas program, schedule
a relaxing massage, or go to a movie with a friend.
The
person who can make your Christmas merry is you. Everyone else can jump through
hoops trying to make it happen, but merriness doesn’t come from Walmart, it
comes from the heart. You will find those who give you the gift of friendship, kindness,
and love will help bring joy to your holiday.
Don’t let
anyone steal your joy or cast guilt on you for not being able to do all that
you did in the past. Fill the holidays with peace.
If you
happen to go into the Columbia Walmart see a checker with a
scowl on her face and a Grinch in her heart, tell her I said, “Merry Christmas!”
She probably needs all the encouragement and cheer she can get.
Copyright
© December 2015 by L.S. Fisher
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