Tag Archives: nursing home residents

Lacquered Lovelies

Charli Mills invited us to use the prompt of NOURISH for our 99-word flash fiction this week. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until one of the activities gals asked the musical question about us wanting to have our nails done that this story practically wrote itself. So check out the Carrot Ranch and join the fun!

“Ladies, do either of you want your nails done today?”

It was this familiar Tuesday query from the activities department of the nursing home that rallied all the women who wanted to feel special every time they looked at their hands. Everyone except these two roommates said yes.

There was a box of bright colors from which to choose. On this day, most of the ladies chose colors that reminded them of beautiful flowers. And here they were, beautiful flowers planted in wheelchairs and hospital beds. Their bodies may be failing them, but their souls were glowing and alive!

©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben

Diane

Moved out of her house

Put her in a nursing home

She can’t live alone

Wants to be in her own place

Doesn’t know they’ve sold her house

©2019 Annette Rochelle Aben

hopping happiness

Hush

There is

A bunny

Eating flowers

Outside the window

Unaware of the show

It is providing for those

Struck inside in their wheelchairs

Who sit and wait all day long to see

A bunny come by to eat the flowers

©2019 Annette Rochelle Aben