The Faces of Ella Smither: Ruby Wright

The Faces of Ella Smither Geriatric Center: Ruby Wright

Often times people avoid “Nursing Homes” like the plague. I am guessing that this happens for fear of what is inside.

I am here to tell you that the people inside are just like you and me.

Meet Ruby Wright!  

Miss Ruby is 91 years old. Her father was the mayor and a local dentist.  Her mother taught her to read before kindergarten. Ruby attending college at "the preacher factory" in Louisiana where she waited tables to help pay for her higher education. Miss Ruby said they called it "the preacher factory" because a lot of future Baptist preachers went to college there.

Ruby met Charles H Wright and they married.  Together she and Charles had FIVE BOYS! John, Robert, Wayne, Richard, and Thomas. I believe that I have met 3 of the 5 boys over the years. They adore their mother. What’s not to love?

Before coming to Ella Smither, Ruby had never had her nails painted. Ruby always says, “With five boys to raise, there was never any time for nail painting-- and I didn’t have any girls to paint them.”  

It is my pleasure to make sure Ruby’s nails stay pretty in pink. She asks me every single time that I come, WHY I would spend my free time on a Sunday afternoon to come up there and paint her fingernails. And EVERY single time I tell her that I do it because I love her like CrAzY and miss her so much when I have to miss my visits. And besides all that... Miss Ruby always gives me an "A+" on my nail painting!! :)))

As most of you know, my husband and I are going to Colorado soon. This will be the first camping trip since 2007, when mother came to Riverside, that I have not taken her with me. YIKES! Instead, TPM will be rooming at Ella Smither, where I KNOW that she will be well taken care of. She already knows the ladies there and will be rooming right across the hall from Miss Ruby, next door to Verla May, and a few doors down from Mrs. Wiseman.

I hope Ella Smither is still here when I get back. With these three... there is NO TELLING what they might do! :)))

Back to Miss Ruby....

Miss Ruby is a retired elementary school teacher. So when I told her that I was going to write up a story about her, she was quick to fill me in on the details that she can remember. Almost as if I were completing an assignment.  Perhaps I am. The assignment is to help others understand the need to reach out to our senior community. They are interesting people and FUN to talk to.

The only fear you should have about visiting a nursing home is the fear that you will FALL IN LOVE with the people inside, and then miss them like CrAzY when you can’t visit!

When I talk to Miss Ruby about living at Ella she is quick to tell me how happy she is there. She tells me that she doesn’t have to cook, or clean up after herself -- and that the people are kind. Ruby is a woman who, like Paul, has learned to be content in all circumstances.

Oh.... if we could all be a little more like Miss Ruby.

Go and visit your local nursing home today. They especially need men to visit with the male residents. So few men are MAN ENOUGH to commit to visiting someone regularly in a nursing home.

Are you Man or Woman Enough?

Who is going to drop in and paint the girls nails while I am gone? Will You?

If you do, I can promise you that you will be blessed!

The Faces of Ella Smither Geriatric Center: Ruby Wright