I spent a couple of hours yesterday being Grandma Braden's hair-do budd (my ex MIL who I love dearly). What that boils down to is keeping her place in line to get a shampoo and set at Kenwood Terrace's beauty shop - and it is a dog eat dog world as all of the wheel chairs line up and decide it is there turn.
It is hard to go there. My Mother died there after spending about 5 years as a resident. Around every corner is a memory - some of laughter and many of tears. Surprisingly, I still know a lot of folks that greet me with a surprised hug and a few tears on their part. They loved my Mom and took marvelous care of her and of me - most days. A nursing home is very much like this cactus flower - it has it's beautiful parts and a whole lot of thorns to navigate. While Grandma was under the dryer I was sitting in the dining room reading. A gentleman joined me at the table to eat his lunch. He wasn't having a very good day. I got him some juice off the cart when he decided that he really couldn't eat. We talked quite a bit ( I think I made a conquest!). I asked him how old he was and he couldn't quite remember but thinks he might be about 83. I told him I was 63 and he said I was just a "young thing." He knows how to work the ladies.
What did I come home with? I shed a few tears missing my Mom as Mother's Day approaches - and thought about the blessings I received from the woman that raised me. I found a renewed appreciation for this body that is getting around even better than I had been thinking, thank you very much. And I remembered something that Anna Jane told me a very long time ago. I had a friend in the hospital (we were in our early twenties at the time and he was dying). Mom told me to "show up." Visiting was good even if I didn't know what to say and was uncomfortable going. And she told me to wear something cheerful! People like that. My Mother was a blessing to so many people - all the way to the end. I miss her.
Beautiful shot and such a wonderful way to honor your mom by caring out her wishes even though it is so difficult. Hope the blessings come back to you.
A touching story, Cathy and a beautiful shot! I remember visiting my grandma in her care home and taking her for walks in her wheelchair. She didn't have a clue who I was (she had alzheimer's) but we would sing songs like "you are my sunshine". I used to sing it to my kids when they were little (and sometimes still do).
A beautiful & thought provoking narrative Cathy.......that old gentleman would be so happy to have had that chat with you......time is a great gift to older people. I too have negotiated the mine field of the nursing home.......lovely that you were so welcomed.
I laughed at your description of the hair do!
I laughed at your description of the hair do!