Family Portrait

By Nannette Monson Kern

Nadine was once a vivacious, intelligent woman. Now confined in a rest home, her mind has deteriorated to the point that her children hardly know her, while she recognizes them not at all. Her behavior toward the staff is violent, her interaction with other residents menacing, the graciousness and intellect she once prized locked behind the barrier of Alzheimer's. Though Christmas is approaching, the season, to Nadine, brings with it no bright spirits, no promise of heightened awareness, no hint of magic. And yet, from somewhere in the cosmos, inexplicable events are about to be launched. Enter Lisa, the petite redheaded night nurse, whose ministrations inexplicably (and/or magically) bring out the best in her patient. Suddenly, Nadine is experiencing periods of lucidity, even frivolity, but only at night while Lisa is in attendance. This extraordinary young nurse, contrary to accepted hospital protocol, remains with her patient throughout her eight-hour shift, acting as a captive audience while Nadine regales her with tales from her past. But Nadine's cognizance is not limited to long-term memory; she is very much "in the moment" as well. Nadine's children, upon hearing of these episodes, are dubious, to say the least, especially because they themselves witness no incidents of miraculous recovery. Why should a stranger be privy to such an amazing breakthrough, while their mother's own offspring are kept beyond the pale? Why, indeed It isn't until Christmas Day that they finally learn the answer to that question.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1495334678
• ISBN13: 9781495334672
• Release Date: March 2014
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"