Pam went into Agnes’ room and informed her that lunch was currently being served. Agnes was sitting in her wheelchair watching the television when she heard Pam calling for lunch service.
Pam quickly asked Agnes if she needed a hand to go to the dining hall. Agnes said she would be alright, she could do it herself. Agnes released the lock of her wheelchair and started wheeling herself towards the dining hall.
Agnes was an 82-year-old widow. She had a hip fracture due to a fall accident at her home nine months ago. She had been staying in an assisted living facility for therapy and recovery. For the most part, she relied on a wheelchair to move around.
Agnes has been living alone and caring for herself and her home for the past 15 years since her husband died. Her eldest son had been looking after her home since her accident.
There were days when Agnes lost hope of going back home. Her recovery has been taking a slow phase. She woke up every day grateful. At sundown, however, the feeling of sadness would creep up heavily on her. She felt more alone at night. Lonely for her beloved husband and for her two sons, who seldom came by for a visit. They were busy with their own lives and family, she always thought.
Living with other seniors was undeniably a good diversion for Agnes as she could keep her mind busy despite feeling lonely.
Agnes approached her favorite table in the dining hall; two of her friends, Mary and Bob, were also seated. She parked her wheelchair on the side of the table and locked the wheel. She reached for the linen napkin and gently placed it on her lap.
Pam saw Agnes setting herself up for dinner; she walked up to her and served her favorite beverages. Agnes ordered the meal on the menu for the day. She asked what was for dessert. Pam told her a few choices for dessert – fresh fruits, cherry Danish, or mandarin jello.
Agnes’ face lit up with childish excitement. “I’ll have the Danish please.”
Agnes only ate half of her meal unusually faster than any other time. Her friend Bob asked why she hadn’t finished her food. Agnes replied with glee, “I’m saving some space for the dessert.”
Pam gave Agnes a small plate of Danish. Agnes took a spoonful; while she was taking the pleasure of savoring the sweetness of the cherry and the warm flaky texture of the Danish, her memory took her back to the summer of 1958.
She was seventeen when she went to her first summer dance party in town. She vividly remembered what she was wearing that night – a red full circle skirt, fitted white blouse, a broad black belt, white bobby socks, and a black pair of flat shoes. She also had her hair in a ponytail.
She was having so much fun dancing the boogie-woogie and the Bop with her high school classmates. She was parched so she went to the refreshment table. She grabbed a cold bottle of Bubble Up. Then a platter of glistening mini-cherry Danish caught her eyes. She quickly reached for one when she bumped into someone’s arm unexpectedly. They were both reaching for the cherry Danish.
She looked at the person; a young tall lad with blue eyes, soft light brown hair, thick eyebrows, and very athletic. His name was Ernie. They both apologized and chuckled. What followed was a night of dancing and getting to know each other. It was the start of a lifelong romance that led to their marriage.
Agnes was married to her high school sweetheart and first love, Ernie, for 47 years. That jittery feeling she had that night with Ernie in the summer of 1958 stayed with her to this day and every time she thought of him… and every time she had a cherry Danish pastry.
>>> See CHERRY DANISH RECIPE
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