Today was a good day

Today was a good day.  I worked, and that usually doesn't make a good day.  But, today at work, there was something extra special there. 

Baby ducks. 

Yes, baby ducks at a nursing home. 

This nursing home has a outdoor courtyard in the center of their building.  With huge windows and glass doors surrounding it.  And I guess recently, a mama duck flew into the center, laid some eggs, and yesterday were the first sightings of the ducklings. 

Nine baby ducks. 

They waddled all around the courtyard.  They swam in the little fishy pond near the dining room door.  They hopped in and out, and swam like this was their first time swimming (because it probably was!).  They swam like it was the best thing in the world, which it absolutely was. 

Nine, tiny baby ducks. 

They followed their mama all around, took a nap under her around 11:00, then emerged energetic and rested just in time to put on a baby duck dance show for all the residents. 

Nine, tiny, fuzzy baby ducks. 

Today was a good day because we had these little ducks.  Everyone could see them, everyone could coo and point to them, but that door was thick enough that the ducks wouldn't be startled. 

And the residents were happy today.  They had something to look forward to.  To love and to fuss over.  To talk about at lunch time. To be entertained by.  They smiled and they laughed, and they forgot about where they were for awhile. 

(Although, when I asked one little lady if she saw the ducklings, or wanted to, she said, "I was raised on a farm! I know what baby ducks look like.") 

It was a good day. 


But don't worry about the ducks!  They have already had all the toast, crackers, and cookies you could imagine.  Plus, they can eat what the courtyard provides.