Hands of time tell a special story

By John Allin

The tall timepiece stands much like a welcoming sentry in the hallway – a kind of proud timber matriarch charged with keeping Mrs Harrington on time.

It is a gentle, graceful piece of furniture which in itself is not in the least bit surprising. After all, wood carving was once Mrs Harrington’s passion and the ornate detail is from her own chisels.

The chimes strike on the quarter hour – but 10 minutes early so she is never late. Look closely and you will see above the hands a little brass inscription in flowing italics script – Tempus Fugit – time flies.

“Yes time does fly,” says Mrs Harrington, easing herself into a favourite chair (which she also made). “But looking back I have had a very good innings. My two boys are my best achievement and I absolutely adore my grandsons – oh yes- AND my two great grandchildren!”

Mrs Harrington lost her husband 40 years ago but the memories remain strong. She loves her home which they bought in 1959. The garden is special to her. The crepe myrtle becomes a mass of purple for one month every year, presenting a complimentary, delightful show for anyone who happens to stroll past the front gate.

The neat edges and pathway are perfect borders for her azaleas and her rose garden ’island’ in the lawn. Ask her to name her favourite rose and the answer is swift and accompanied by a cheeky grin: “It’s the pink panther”.

“Is it any surprise that I won’t leave my home?” asks Mrs Harrington. “Everything I want and need is here. It’s my special place. Leave here? Never!”

Mrs Harrington is a DVA Gold Card client with daily care provided by Rally HomeCare (the name under which RDNS HomeCare operates in South Australia). This assistance allows her to remain in the home that holds for her so many beautiful memories.

A chat over a cup of tea with Mrs Harrington (“Call me Ruth”) is like settling down with a good book. Her stories are from another era. The world was unsettled in a different way to what it is today. The memories are vivid.

The Second World War was raging on all fronts when Ruth began nursing. She had been working at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital before joining the Army to help care for the thousands of prisoners of war.

“They were in a terrible state. There were not enough Army sisters, they told me so I was pleased to be able to contribute in a positive way.”

Ruth saw nursing service not only in Adelaide but also in Western Australia and what was then called the Heidelberg Army Hospital in Melbourne. Leg ulcers, stomach skin grafts, tuberculosis were part and parcel of Ruth’s working day.

Adventure might have been Ruth’s middle name. She later found herself working in London at Westminster Children’s Hospital and also the Army Hospital there. She fell in love with Denis, married in 1952 and continued to nurse – and teach nursing – until retiring at 70.

Remaining active, mentally and physically, was a priority for Ruth. She took up wood carving and has made several pieces of furniture including an ottoman, sideboard, mirror and fireguard. The chisels remain in their pounces nowadays because her hands tend to be painful.

“It’s easy when you know which chisels to use,” she says with a laugh. Ruth attends handicraft sessions, goes to her local Anglican church, sews and has recently taken up knitting.

“But I am not too keen on it,” she confides in a whisper. With quiet humility Ruth enjoys giving back. Six years ago she was awarded the Order of Australia medal for service to veterans through the South Australian branch of the Returned Services League.

Ruth counts among her friends her magpies that drop in every afternoon and wait patiently outside her back door for tidbits. Another special friend is Rally HomeCare nurse Maria Browne, who says Ruth is inspirational.

“I am honoured to be doing this job and getting to meet such wonderful people like Ruth,” Ms Browne says.

“The main thing is to have respect, because you have come into someone’s home and it is absolutely essential to treat them in the same way as you would like to be treated when you deliver their personal care and attend to their clinical needs,” she adds.

“One of the secrets is to listen. You know, meeting and helping people like Ruth is a privilege.” Clearly Ruth and Maria get on famously and rarely does a visit go by without a laugh or two.

“Life goes so quickly. Life is what you make or it. If you want to be miserable, be miserable – but that’s not for me,” Mrs Harrington says.

Visit the website for more information about Rally HomeCare or phone 1300 665 444 for home support advice.