Friday, January 15, 2016
Vernon and I became very good friends during his stay at Ridgewood Veterans Wing. He often came to visit me in my office, to talk and joke around, and we would go for daily walks, sometimes two, around the site. Vernon enjoyed the outdoors very much, and he would stop at every tree or bush, and tell me what each one was. Often he would pick me a rose from the rose bush as we passed it on each of our walks, and we would sit in the lawn chairs by the water and have great talks. He talked about his children, his parents, his grandchildren, and how he met his wife, Vivian. He told me many stories about his life. One of my favourites being the watermelon in the backpack. Vernon and I had hot chocolate every day, and sat and chatted with the staff in the cafeteria or outside at the front entrance. Vernon and I partnered at bingo, and some of the activities he enjoyed with us were bingo, bowling, cooking, bus trips, and lunch trips out. Vernon was very social, and enjoyed talking with the staff and the many residents at Ridgewood Veterans Wing. He quickly became one of my favourite veterans, and I will cherish the friendship we shared.
