A CAREGIVER’S APRIL FOOL’S DAY
It’s officially Spring—that’s how I feel about April. And yesterday was April Fool’s Day.
As a Creative person, April Fool’s Day has always held a special place in my life. My April Fool’s Day jokes have been nothing short of Epic!
I haven’t played an April Fool’s Day joke since I’ve been a Caregiver.
This year, in an effort to get back to myself, I decided to play an April Fool’s Day joke on my friends and family. The joke began with a phone call…
“Hello, I’m so glad that you answered the phone. I have something to tell you, and I have limited phone privileges.”
“Limited phone privileges?” the person on the other end of the phone asked.
“Yes, I don’t have much time. I’m at Butler Hospital.”
Butler Hospital is a well-known Psychiatric Hospital in this area.
“What?”
“Yesterday, I went for my annual check-up, and you know that form that you fill out? The one that asks things like, do you have trouble sleeping? Are you feeling anxious? Well, when my Doctor reviewed the form, he looked at me curiously.”
And he then said, “This is the second time that you have filled out the form in this manner, and I can’t release you.”
I continued with the story saying, “They took me away in a truck. It was shaped like an ambulance but instead of being red, it was white and there were no flashing lights. Well, they didn’t turn on the lights and they brought me here.”
The person generally remained silent while I continued recounting fictitious events.
“They brought me here and I have to stay here for 72 hours. I’m glad I reached you because I wanted you to hear this news directly from me. You know how small this town is, I have already seen 3 people who know me or you!”
This was the point where I paused deeply and waited for the reaction. And I received a multitude of reactions.
For instance:
- “I’m so glad that you are getting the help that you need. I will get dressed and go sit with your Mother.”
- “You can extend the 72 hours to 10 days–your insurance will probably cover 10 days.”
- “OMG, they put you on a 72-hour hold! That’s serious”
- “You know the Staff is not supposed to talk to you or act as if they know you. They can get fired for that.”
- “Ok. I’ll go over to see your Mother this evening. I’ll be there around 6 PM.”
- “I can’t believe that we let it come to this. What is your Brother doing?”
- “I’m surprised that you went with them.”
After they responded with their initial thoughts on the situation, I joyfully exclaimed, “APRIL FOOLS!” And I laughed.
Then they laughed. And for a few moments we all laughed together.
The people who remembered that April Fool’s Day jokes was kind of my thing, said, “That was a good one! You Got Me! Or That was one of your Best!”
There was the Cousin who said, “I’m hanging up now!” He can’t take a joke. Although even he said, “It’s good to hear you laugh.”
It wasn’t until the end of the evening that I realized, part of the reason that this years Joke was so believable is because…
It’s sad BUT it could really be true!
My Mother actually had a stroke on an April Fool’s Day thrusting me into the role of Caregiver. That year, the joke was on me.
This year, it felt good to LAUGH!
AARON NEVILLE – “EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL”
https://youtu.be/VdCFXkQYgQo?si=ZgT7BnZVngeymPCb
A CAREGIVER’S CONSCIENCE PODCAST – “CAREGIVER GONE CRAZY”
https://youtu.be/5Hay-wqMeeg?si=0NrBHk1j4vvFyYWs
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