Mom is in the middle holding her youngest great-grandchild last year.
Special Moments and Memories
My 95-year-old Mom has always been an independent woman. Living by herself since my dad passed away nine-years-ago, she takes pleasure in cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and talking with friends. That all changed recently one Sunday afternoon in October.
Over the last few years mom has been losing weight and as a result has become more and more frail, gradually losing the ability to take care of herself. This process is what the doctors call a “decline.” Now that she’s living with me, some days we laugh and joke, while other days the pain she suffers takes center stage.
Mom has always been the one to reach out and help others. I’ve seen her take food to shut in’s or give a few dollars here and there when someone needed money to pay a bill. Often she showed kindness or caring by something as simple as calling a neighbor or friend to check on them. She was living out her faith by showing Christian love.
Mom has helped me in ways I could never repay. For example, when my husband, Michael, was injured in a motorcycle accident during the first year of our marriage, I had to work and couldn’t take him to therapy, so Mom took him. It was odd seeing this sixty-something woman driving a twenty-something young man to therapy. Heads must have turned as they went down the highway, but Michael’s injuries were so bad the only way he could ride in the car was to stretch out in the back seat with Mom as the chauffeur. Even while waiting during his therapy sessions, she never complained or wanted anything in return.
When our daughters were growing up, if I had to work and they were sick all I had to do was call Mom and she would babysit. She’s the one person in my life, no matter what I do or how grumpy I get, she always forgives and forgets.
Now it’s my turn to be there for her. I can’t say the last few months have been easy, but I’ve discovered taking one day at a time is what works best. The sweetest times we’ve shared have been bedtime because it’s then Mom enjoys talking the most. Last night she began talking about dancing. As I sat beside her bed, I said, “Mom, one day you’ll be dancing in heaven.” She laughed and said, “That would be great. It’ll be like the day World War II ended and everyone was dancing in the streets in Salisbury.”
On the day the war ended Mom was working at Cone Mills in Salisbury, NC. She said when the news came the mill closed and everyone went up town to celebrate. Knowing she hadn’t met Dad yet, I asked if she danced with a man. With a slight grin and a far-away look in her eyes, as if remembering, she said, “I danced with everybody.”
I don’t know how many nights or days we’ll have together, but I know one thing for sure, I’ll remember moments like this and hold them close to my heart forever.
Special thanks to everyone who has helped with Mom’s care, including Community Home Care and Hospice from Statesville, NC. Mom especially has enjoyed the company, the attention and the baths.
What special moments have you shared with your mom? Leave a comment below, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
