I'm So Dang BANGO!

I've been at church a lot this week--prayer room, Women's Group and a few new ministry meetings I'm PC-ing (process coordinator). Sounds more official than it is. Tonight is the last one for the week--and it's the ministry nearest and dearest to my heart: Elderly Ministries. I don't expect many to show up--John said he'd drop in and I'll pick up Sheila and Velma (the two ladies who go to the nursing home with me). But that's okay, we need to get our yearly plan in order anyway.

I've been back in the swing of visiting again--I didn't know how I'd ever do it after my friend John died. But I did and it feels right. AND Cody and I had dinner with another friend, Luther--cheeseburgers, vanilla shake and fries. Just like John always requested. That was hard.

I don't know if I told you this before, so here it is. For the LONGEST time I'd come down the halls and Luther would be at the end screaming out "Boy Oh BOYYYYY! BANGO BANGO BANGO!!". And I loved it--because naturally bango would be elderly slang for beautiful lady.


So I'd walk towards Luther with a little bit lighter step and maybe I'd toss my hair a little as I went. The nurses might think I'm crazy but who cares? They're jealous and Luther thinks I'm BANGO! I'd get to Luther, take his hands in mine and say something like "That's right, Luther, I'm here! You flatter me, really, you..you...."

It was several months later that I figured out BANGO meant Luther wanted me to fill in again calling BINGO (I used to do that from time to time when Pat was the activities director)! And not because he thinks I'm lovely, no. Because I have quarters for prizes. And if he wins a few rounds, he'll get a soda for the day.

Mmmmhmm...it's okay. I can take it. I still choose to pretend as I'm skipping down that hall towards Luther to the tune of BANGO BANGO BANGO Oh boy OHHHHHHHHH BOY!!!! what he's really saying is 'beautiful lady' when in reality, it just means quarter lady.

If you don't already, try visiting at your local nursing home, I'm telling you they will bless your socks off or your money back!