PART OF THE REST OF US Juliette Latva 7th Grade • Rogers Park Montessori
Amelia reached into her wardrobe and carefully selected a blouse. There were only three so it wasn't a difficult choice, but still, she paused, her frail and lined hands stopping to feel each one. Today she would wear the ivory blouse with the Peter Pan collar and the dainty rose buttons. When Peggy came to bring her breakfast that morning, she would ask her for help with the buttons that always gave her so much trouble. Today was a special day. The kind of day that called for a special blouse. The local Montessori school was sending students as “friendship ambassadors,” to the memory care home where she lived. Amelia eagerly looked forward to these visits along with the concerts from the Suzuki students and other local youth orchestras that would occasionally come to play music for them. In the past, she had enjoyed bingo, but had quit after she found the bingo caller too difficult to follow. But the student visits were different. Even when she found the present difficult to navigate, the past was always available to her. Having a willing audience to share that past with her was a comfort. The gentle knock at the door startled Amelia and for a moment she was confused where the noise had come from. “Good morning Miss Amelia,” Peggy called entering her room. “Beautiful day, sun is shining, birds are chirping. Let’s get these blinds open so we can get some light in here,” Peggy said opening the shutters in one swift movement. “You know I love
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