My Mother is 88 years old, soon to be 89. She is living in our home and we are glad to have her with us. When I say glad I mean happy that we can help/give service to her. She never wanted to be a burden to her children, but at the same time never wanted to go to a retirement center or 'old folks home'. When she first came to stay it was last year in February. It was a bit of an adjustment and people would say 'that is such a burden'. I didn't look at it as a burden. Yes, my life style changed. I couldn't just think about me and what I wanted. It helped me realize that I was quite selfish, with my husband gone during the week, in that my time was my own to decide what I wanted to do and when I wanted to do it.
So the thought of having my Mother with me made it so I wasn't so lonely, but it also required extra work and patience. It was sad to see her get dementia. It seemed to be gradual but more like all of a sudden she became this person that wasn't my Mother anymore. At least not the Mother I used to know. She turned into the Mother that needed me. I always needed my Mother, but the roles have kind of reversed. It is me telling her how to do things when for so many years, she told me how things went.
This one was almost a year ago. She looks so forlorn and she experienced pain frequently.
Yes, it was a sacrifice, because I was in charge of her care. She relies on me for almost everything. But when I reflect on what she has done for me and that she has always been there for me, I can't see it as a burden. 'She's not heavy, she's my Mother.' I love her sweet spirit. I want to inherit that sweet forgiving, kind gentle personality that she has. It is one of the ways I can see to do that. To still learn from her. Even though at times she seems like she has forgotten everything she ever knew, she is still teaching me how to be Christlike, loving, forgiving and patient. I love you Mother. Thank you for giving me, the opportunity to serve you.
So the thought of having my Mother with me made it so I wasn't so lonely, but it also required extra work and patience. It was sad to see her get dementia. It seemed to be gradual but more like all of a sudden she became this person that wasn't my Mother anymore. At least not the Mother I used to know. She turned into the Mother that needed me. I always needed my Mother, but the roles have kind of reversed. It is me telling her how to do things when for so many years, she told me how things went.
This picture was when my parents were still in good shape. She was 84 and my Dad 91.
Yes, it was a sacrifice, because I was in charge of her care. She relies on me for almost everything. But when I reflect on what she has done for me and that she has always been there for me, I can't see it as a burden. 'She's not heavy, she's my Mother.' I love her sweet spirit. I want to inherit that sweet forgiving, kind gentle personality that she has. It is one of the ways I can see to do that. To still learn from her. Even though at times she seems like she has forgotten everything she ever knew, she is still teaching me how to be Christlike, loving, forgiving and patient. I love you Mother. Thank you for giving me, the opportunity to serve you.
1 comment:
what a sweet unselfish daughter you are...
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