Commitment

Now it is my turn, my pleasure and my commitment to be there for her and with her, whatever it takes.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Mom Fell

Mom fell again today. Her knees just give out and she falls. Then I call them downstairs and they come up and help me pick her up.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Brady's Birthday

We headed to Texas to be with Brady on his 6th birthday. We stayed at a hotel, but enjoyed the kids very much. Mom wanted to go shopping at Belk. She loves that store. She bought shoes and had a very good time.

The morning that we were leaving she feel coming out of the bathroom. I knew that if I called the desk they would call an ambulance. Falling on their property would be not good, so I called Kati and she sent her police officer husband. We got her back up in the chair and was off for home.

She did really good on the trip.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Cade's Birthday

After church we went to Oklahoma City and a great lunch at Panera and then we went to Cade's Captain America 5th Birthday Party.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Look Closer, See Me

Years ago when an old woman died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital in Scotland, it was believed she had nothing left of any value. Later, when nurses were going through her belongings, they discovered this poem. Today, the woman who authored it is known as "Anonymous." We hope you enjoy this simple yet eloquent reminder.

What do you see, people, what do you see?
What are you thinking, when you look at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise.
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do.
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who, unresisting or not, lets you do as you will.
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes--you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still!
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who loved one another.
A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet,
dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at 20 -- my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At 25 now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure, happy home.
A woman of 30, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At 50, once more babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own.
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.
I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart.
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joy, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years--all too few, gone too fast--
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman--LOOK CLOSER, SEE ME!

The opportunity each of us has is to see, enjoy and support each person, respecting who he or she is.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Knitting

Mom knitted all of her life. Making sweaters, scarves, dish rags, but her most famous thing of all were her baby booties and caps. She never needed a pattern, she knew it by heart. Every brand new baby in the Drummond area got a pair of mom's knitted booties. Being her daughter I got more than 1 pair and by the time I had 3 girls, I had quite a collection.

Mom tried to knit for the 15th great-grandchild. She ripped out more than she knitted. She stopped and tried to knit a dish rag. She couldn't knit. Her hands were shaking so bad, then she would go to sleep and drop stitches. I watched the frustration on her face.

She had me print out the pattern and she tried by reading the stitches from the pattern.

She has given up on knitting. She just does crossword puzzles all day when she is not sleeping.