Had a weird experience at the nursing home this weekend. My aunt was still in bed when we went to visit her at 2 PM on Sunday. Someone told us that she had been awake and active all night, so they allowed her to sleep late.
That's not surprising. My mother kept us awake many nights during the years that she suffered the same condition - vascular dementia.
The weirdness happened when they brought us her lunch tray. My aunt showed no interest in feeding herself, so I fed her. I thought that my mother's death was the end to my feeding another person. I have no children, but I know in a small, small way what it's like. An adult can become your child, actually.
My mother was my child. Our child. The child of my sister and I, who were no longer her daughters, eventually - she forgot us - and we became her sisters, and in the end her mother. Both of us.
Isaiah 49:15 got us through some very, very tough times. "Should a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
That is probably my greatest fear, is that when I age I may not be able to care for myself and my lose my mind (if that hasn't started happening already) and no longer remember those around me. It has to be terrifying to go through, especially earlier on when you realize what is happening to you and understand that you will soon be a burden on others. Those who assist such unfortunate souls are truly angels on earth.
Don't fear, Doobie - God will not give you anything more than you can handle. Easier said than done, though - with my family history, I have the same fears myself. Part of me wants to live a long, productive life, and the other part of me wants it to end before I become demented and/or dependent and/or a burden. Part of me has no fear of death, because I know where I am going in the afterlife, but the other part of me fears the unknown. A wise pastor of mine often said, "Fear is useless - what is needed is trust". I think we all just need to live as best as we can and trust in the divine mercy of God to get us through the tough times.
Post a Comment