Hang On - Enjoy The Ride

Ken was the bus driver for Autumn Hall , the most affordable retirement village in Caterville . Apart from driving the bus it was Ken's job to find a destination each month and provide entertainment on the day . There were always challenges on every bus trip . Ken spent a lot of time and energy on all of the excursions he organized .
On the calendar Ken noticed that the annual bus trip to the beach was scheduled and so he began to inform the residents of the venue . Outside in the gardens a small group of residents were busy doing Tai Chi . Ken took a seat and watched them for a while . When the session was over he took the microphone and switched over to the portable PA .
"Good morning to you all . What a wonderful day . The sky is blue and the birds are singing and have I got news for you ."
Everyone looked over at Ken . He had their attention now .
"Next Wednesday there will be a bus trip to the beach. All of you who want to go put your name on the list pinned to the notice board outside the dining room ."
Some of the residents who had hearing problems were asking other residents what was had just been said .
One by one the word was spread around and the excitement was written on all their faces .
One of the younger and more mobile residents called Laurie spoke up .
"Could you please tell us how many seats will be available on the bus ?"
Ken replied ..
"There will be plenty of seats Laurie . At least thirty and a maximum of forty ."
Ken went into the dining room at lunch and again told everyone about the bus trip to the beach . So far the response had been positive and some questions were being asked . Mrs Kroker took her glass and tapped it with her silver spoon . When she had everyone's attention she said ,
" I'd like to thank Ken for his wonderful effort in putting this outing on for us here at Autumn Hall . Who is going so far Ken ?"
There was a brief applause and then Ken replied .
"There is a list on the notice board outside the dining room so after lunch if you want to check it out you'll know who is on board so far and put your name on the list if you're interested in going .
The cook who was busy serving out the lunches asked .your name down on the list of you're interested .
The chef who had heard the commotion from the kitchen came out to the dining room and said .
"Do you need a cook on the bus Ken ?
Ken laughed and replied .
"Yeah . I'm it . Sorry about that .
The cook replied .
"That's ok . I'll have an easy day anyway .Leave me a menu suggestion and I'll see what I can do . 
Ken replied ,
"Thanks . I will need some things . Coolers and drinks and hot beverages . I'll drop you in a list as soon as I have the numbers . "
The cook passed on her hat to Ken and said .
"Are you sure you wouldn't like to swap positions for the day ?
Everyone in the dining room laughed . Ken gave the hat back and said ,
"I would if I could but I can't so I won't . See you all next week on the bus . "
The day arrived for outing and the weather was perfect .
Ken had loaded up the bus with things that would be needed the night before and was just going through his list . He had tried to limit the number of items that would be put on the bus and even cut down on the original list of items that were loaded . Now among the things left on the bus were fold up chairs, fold up tables, beach balls and beach umbrellas , towels and blankets , walking frames , wheel chairs , walking aids , pelican belts , medications , books , personal care products , books , magazines , radios , the daily newspapers , a battery operated food blender and milk shake maker , cold drinks in portable chillers with thermos and flasks filled with teas , hot chocolates and coffees . There were hand held splints and foot splints , there was first aid equipment and pillows , cushions , and rubber rings . There was spare clothing , hats , cameras , some mobile phones and buckets and spades . Happy with these things he closed the luggage compartment and went inside to address the residents .
Thirty three people were all sitting in pick up and set down area of Autumn Hall waiting to go .
Ken stood before them and he smiled as on their faces was a look of innocence that little children often expressed . He put on his bus drivers hat and said ,
"Ok . Before we get on the road there are a few things I need to say to all of you . No arguing or fighting on the bus . No stopping at pubs , clubs or shopping centres on the way . If anyone needs to go to the boys or girls room now would be a good time . Other that that lets get on board .
The nursing staff all helped to get all the residents on the bus . It took a while but it was had to be done safely and correctly as policy and procedures would have it done . Now that all the residents were on board off they went .
The bus pushed through Caterville towards the Bay . The traffic lights were kind and stayed green for most of the way . On the bus they made their own fun . Ken started up a sing song and then there was a general knowledge quiz . The atmosphere was warm and friendly as a pass the parcel game was attempted between residents .
Finally the bus arrived at the beach . Ken had timed it perfectly . It was low tide which meant you could park your vehicle on the hard sand near the shore . So there was no real walking for any of the residents .All the passengers got off and Ken set up the chairs and umbrellas . Some of the more mobile people spread blankets on the sand and sat there . There were others who had to be assisted out of the bus and into wheel chairs . It took about an hour to get everyone out of the bus and settled on the sand .
Ken organized some activities like the sandcastle competition . Some of the residents of Autumn Hall took the competition very seriously . In the company were retired builders and architects . There were also some artists and town planners in their number who began to carve out beautiful sandcastle creations in the sand . Some of the castles had moats with drawbridges and turret walls . Others had underground cellars and dungeons . At the end of the day Ken had his a hard job deciding the winner . He awarded first prize to the most original design which was a sandcastle designed for the aged . Outside the castle walls were a few enclosed pathways that seemed safe areas for walking . Inside the castle walls were a number of ramp access points into small living areas . There was also an in ground splash pool and specific attention given to the placement of hand rails and barriers throughout the entire castle . Ken awarded the blue ribbon with a gold medal to LJ as he was affectionately called . Everyone applauded the decision and after the presentation Ken began to hand out some beverages and refreshments .
After lunch Ken spotted a man on the beach who had a friendly looking donkey and went over to speak with him.
"Good day to you sir ."
Ken smiled and reached out his hand saying .
"Good day to you . My name is Ken . I work for a retirement village in Caterville 
The man with a kind face shook Ken hand and replied ,
"My name is Dan . It sure it is a beautiful day . Isn't it ?

He patted his donkey on the head and smiled . Looking back at Ken with the sun glinting in his eyes Ken said ,
"You have a very nice donkey there ."
The reply came back ,
"Indeed I do and it is a great day for a donkey ride up the shoreline . I have a special rate for kids and also for pensioners .
Ken saw the beauty in that and replied .
"I have seventy pensioners on the bus . How much for the lot ? "
The man with the donkey laughed .
"There's no were near seventy in your group . I've counted them myself from a distance and I estimate you have around thirty . I'd reckon about half of those are not able for a donkey ride and the other half might only be able to stay on for a few minutes . So what about if you make a donation towards the donkeys feed , say two or three gold coins and I'll give a ride to as many of them who want .
"That's as good a deal as I'll ever get . You're on "
Said Ken handing over the few coins . The two men spat on their hands and shook on it .
Along the beach the man assisted some of the old folk who wanted a donkey ride . Some of the others who never wanted to ride came over to pat the donkey and talk to it . Ken saw the look on their faces . It was beyond words .
"All right people lets give the man his donkey back . We need to be packing up now ."
Reluctantly all the residents said good bye to the donkey . As the man took his donkey down the beach Ken gathered everyone around .
" All right listen now . We've had a wonderful day . Maybe before we get back on the bus if anyone wants to collect a kind of souvenir from the beach I'll give you a little while to do that ."
After a half hour some of the residents returned with their souvenirs .
Some of them carried large bits of driftwood , others had jellyfish in their buckets . There were residents carrying seaweed , plants and wild grass Some had filled up buckets with sand . Some had collected crabs and others strange rocks with things that wiggled about . Ken had to put his foot down .
"All right maybe you never quite got the drift to what I meant . I said souvenirs not the entire beach . Anything that wriggles or bites or pinches or stings is not coming back with us on the bus . So I would ask that all of those things now be left here .
It took a while but all of living beach souvenirs were sorted out and left behind where they belonged . Some sea shells and some small bits of driftwood were brought back to remember he day.
When Ken went back to open the luggage compartment of the bus he found the donkey tied to the back bumper with a little note attatched to the bridle which read .
It would make me very happy if you would accept the donkey as a gift from me to all the old people on the bus . I hope there is a place for it in the place you live . You all have so much to give and I feel my donkey would be well looked after . Your friend Dan .
Ken was very touched and put it to the residents who were over joyed with their new community friend the donkey . The next thing was transport so after a few phone calls a horse float was arranged to pick the donkey up .
By the time Ken packed everything and everyone back on to the bus the horse float arrived . The journey back to Autumn Hall was filled with wonder and a feeling of grace made itself present among all .
The donkey was received with a warm welcome back at Autumn Hall . All the residents decided to name the donkey Brandy and a name plaque was erected outside one of the maintenance sheds that was adapted into Brandy's stable . In the days that followed it was the responsibility of the residents to make sure Brandy was watered , fed and groomed . Small groups were permitted to have rides around the grounds . Brandy enjoyed it just as much as the residents . Everyday life was a different experience for all the staff and residents of Autumn Hall retirement village . Some of those who felt frightened and alone had now discovered a way to reach out and find a new acceptance because of Brandy . Some who felt life unwanted now were able to contribute more to life by helping feed and care for an animal who depended on them . The staff noticed the changes in the residents behaviour and their work loads had decreased because of the daily interaction with Brandy .
Ken contacted other nursing homes and retirement villages and arranged visits with them and their residents . A similar effect was noticed on the faces of all those who met Brandy .
Sometimes in life , we learn to hang on and enjoy the ride .

By Paul McCann

The End