From the Heart
A force to be reckoned with. It’s been said about me. It has been said about my mother.
At 92, every day my mother never ceases to amaze me.
Over the past few years I have watched her grow weaker in her body but stronger in her spirit.
A few weeks ago, she was taken to the emergency room at Riverview Hospital. For three weeks she has had both physical and occupational therapy. Let’s just say that she has become Wonder Woman.
Her therapist, Madison, says that she has gone from struggling, with just a few steps, to walking over 200 feet. You should hear the pride in her voice when she talks about her workouts. Whenever her body is about to give out, she does not give up.
Mom says that being in the hospital, especially the Transitional Care Unit, has been a blessing. She has gained strength, flexibility, balance and extra spunk. Don’t dare tell my mom that she can’t do something. She will prove you wrong.
Arthritis has settled into her joints. Her knees buckle. Her feet have turned over. Yet, her will power gets her where she needs to go.
The gals at the hospital are fascinated by the stories that she tells. Married at 16. Sixty-three anniversaries before my dad passed. Becoming a mother at 30 of a little gal that was definitely a force to be reckoned with.
As one of the senior care advisors said to me, “Someone in their 90s has so much to say … if we take the time to listen.” We talked about how they simply want our time. The hour glass is quickly losing the sand from the top. We should not lose out on hearing the wisdom they have to share.
I told my mother that while those gals and guys in TCU have been a blessing to her, she has been a blessing to them. She has prayed with them, encouraged them and laughed with them.
Mom has definitely not lost her sense of humor. My daughter-in-law, Angie, sent me a text this week that my mom wanted a sports bra. Yes, you read that correctly … a sports bra.
When Angie brought it to her they wrangled and wrestled it over her head. They were struggling to get her arms through it when Mom and Angie got tickled. Mom got it back over her head and handed it to Angie and said, “Well, these are not for old ladies. Take it back.” They both had to wipe the tears from laughing so hard.
Who knows what my mom will ask for next.
They say that it takes a village to raise a child. I must say that it also takes a village to sustain a good life for someone in their 90s. Mom has a great number of people in her village.
If you happen to be near the TCU unit at Riverview you might look out for a sweet, beautiful and spunky young lady in her 90s who will be navigating down the hall to the workout room. She will be dressed in vibrant colors and wearing a big smile and flowered tennis shoes. Everyone notices her shoes.
Get out of her way. She has places to go and stories to tell. As I said, she is a force to be reckoned with.
The greatest compliment I ever get is … you are so much like your mother.