A grand and wonderful illusion.

Ron is enjoying life again. Despite his Alzheimer’s.  Because he’s in a good vibes environs. Where he truly feels at home.  The five-bed Arthur’s Residence. In an idyllic Twin Cities suburban residential neighborhood. He walks around the place. Into the living room, the kitchen, wherever he pleases. And cavorts with the staff. Usually, four young women. With happy-go-lucky attitudes. They exude good vibes virtually all of the time. In the  midst of being educated. Into the world of the dementia-riddled. At colleges and universities. But also on-the-job. It’s as if they’ve walked into Ron’s home. Ron’s world. That’s what they’ve helped create. Arthur’s Residence. But might just as well be called Ron’s Residence. Or Norma’s Residence. The names of any of the five residents. They have blended into a family. They all seem to feel that it’s their exclusive home. They are, indeed, a functioning family. Where they belong. One might say, it’s an illusion. But nothing wrong with that. That’s the best of life. A grand and wonderful illusion. That has become as real as real can be. –Jim Broede