Book: An Attempt To Make Something Out of Life

It's a good thing there are two of me so if one had it the other can go elsewhere. It looks as if it's the end of knack4buzz and the founder/owner/administrator/moderator doesn't seem to understand that engagement is needed (comment reply talk) to grow a community. The "Photo Story Diary" was an initiative of mine and I spoke a few weeks ago about my concerns and asked @el-nailul if I could transfer it to @steembetterlife. The answer was yes but I didn't do it yet and now I wonder if it's a good idea. For now, I will focus on something else and next year(it sounds long but it isn't) I will see what contests I will host and where.

It's such a pity that all those who write diaries don't write something else. Freewriting isn't difficult; you just write what pops up in your mind. It can be helpful if you use a prompt (today, it's books), which brings me to: The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen (by now there are 3). It's a great book about a man who is 83 1/4 years old. and shares his daily life in a nursery home. I forgot how funny it is. It's one of those few books that make you laugh out loud although while reading it I wondered how the typical Dutch jokes referring to Dutch people and situations are translated. It wouldn't be the first time a translated version is worse or... better than the original.

Hendrik plans to write a diary about the nursery home. His friend Evert should read a part of his diary at his funeral. His only worry is that Evert might die before him and can't guarantee he will live longer.

The diary starts on January 1st with the sentence: I never liked old people and will not like them this year.
Hendrik is the man who lives up to his name. This means that he is a "good Hendrik". It is not that he has no opinion but he has learned to do what he is told. He was brought up properly but he is annoyed! Thanks to his friend Evert, who lives in an assisted living home and can use the services of the nursing home, Hendrik learns to have fun and do things he has never done before. Friend Evert has diabetes drinks, and enjoys life but that does not mean that he also suffers from pains that are related to age and his illness. On those days Hendrik walks Evert's dog and heats a ready-made meal for him in the microwave.

In a nursing home, there is a coming and going. As soon as someone has died, that room has to be empty within 3 days so that it can be rented out again. The new resident is a woman who, as she says, did not come of her own free will. A lot changed with the arrival of Eefje. The group of active senior citizens set up a nightclub and in turn one of the members has to organize an outing that is suitable for everyone. This sometimes causes problems because hardly anyone can walk and walkers and other aids have to be taken along.

Anyone who wants to know what everyday life is like for the elderly should definitely read this book. Senior citizen gym (sitting in a chair and waving your arms), stubborn senior citizens, gossip, eternal complaining, not daring to tell the truth or blatantly lying the inconveniences, illnesses, and death, everything is discussed.

Although Hendrik's life leaps forward with his new group of friends (but especially Evert and Eefje play a role), there are also the elderly who sit alone staring out of the window (not everyone gossips) and are dirtying up. The care and the director who seems to care little about the residents are also questionable here.

I strongly recommend this book. No fooling around, just spitting out whatever is thought. Relationships develop in which the elderly care for each other. For example, when Eefje loses her memory. It's great how they help her to hide it.

Hendrik plans to write a diary about the nursery home. His friend Evert should read a part of his diary at his funeral. His only worry is that Evert might die before him and can't guarantee he will live longer.

Anyone who thinks that life in a nursing home only consists of sad old people is wrong. Maybe it's time to visit one again, although I believe the book is based more on the former elderly home (from 30+ years ago) than on the nursing home where the average elderly person has a life expectancy of 3 months.

_{If you like to see a bit of the Netherlands you can watch Hendrik Groen's Diary. It's not the same as the book but good enough.}

Book: Het geheime dagboek van Hendrik Groen 83 1/4
Writer: Peter de Smet
Prompt: books - @freewritehouse
29.11.24