On Sunday after church, I visited mom. She was not
in the activity room with the other residents; instead she had dozed off
sitting around the nurses’ station.
While I stopped to speak to mom’s nurse, mom woke up and seemed to be
surprised to see me. Mom wondered how
long I had been talking to her nurse.
When I approached mom stated, “A lot of people . .
. leaving . . . this place.”
“Mom, they did not leave you. The other residents including Darlene* are in
the activity room.”
Mom shook her head side to side, “No . . .
they . . . died.”
“Who died?”
“A lot of people
. . . place is empty.” There were a handful of other people who had
chose not to participate in activities today and were sitting around the nurses’
station along with mom.
“Mom, I will take you to the activity room and
show you where the other people are.” I
started to unlock mom’s wheelchair to move her.
“No . .
. not them. Guy .
. . across hall . . . another lady.” Mom was adamant that people had passed away
recently. She was probably right.
Mom spoke up again, “I guess . . . they decided . . . I’m staying.”
“Who decided that you’re staying?”
“You all .
. . decided. Say . . . I’m better.”
“You are definitely eating better and you look
good.”
Mom happily said, “Guess what . . .
watched . . . Joel . . . today.” When mom lived independently she loved
watching Joel Osteen’s sermon every Sunday morning before she went to church.
“That’s great.
What did Joel have to say?”
“He . . .
didn’t make . . . sense.” Mom has a hard time comprehending
conversations now so I am sure Joel’s sermon was hard to understand in her
present state.
“At least you were able to watch him; Joel has a
nice smile. He always looks so happy.”
Mom shook her head agreeing with me.
“Let’s pray, mom.”
“I give up . . . thinking
. . . my words . . . fall apart.”
“Mom, just don’t give up praying. I can understand
you clearly today.”
Surprisingly mom popped up with, “My famous
words . . . God when you’re ready . . .
I’m ready.”
“Good prayer, mom.”
“Keep my kids . . .safe.”
“Another good prayer.”
After we prayed, I wheeled mom into the activity
room to see if I could have mom join the others. They were all watching a movie.
“Mom, they are watching The Sound of Music. That is one of my favorite movies. Do you like The Sound of Music with Julie
Andrews?”
“Yes”. I
sat with mom for a little while watching the movie when she turned to me and
said, “OK, you need to go now.”
“Mom enjoy the movie.”
“I’ll probably
. . . sleep.”
“That’s OK, too, mom.”
Our goodbyes always seem to take ten minutes from
the first goodbye, hug and kiss to the last one before I walk out. One or two kisses never seem to suffice. As I was walking out of the activity room I heard mom say, “Julienne . . . can’t
see you.” I had put mom’s wheelchair
break on after I wheeled her in. They
were still locked. Mom used to be able
to lock and unlock them herself before, but now she is confused and needs help
locking and unlocking.
I walked back to mom, “Sorry, mom, I locked your
brakes so you would stay facing the TV.
Did you need something?”
Mom picked up my hand to kiss. Smiling she raised her hand to her mouth and
blew kisses.
I hugged mom again, “Mom, I had forgotten to blow
kisses, I am so glad you remembered.”
How happy I was that I heard mom call me back before I left.
All is well.