I read a post today on LinkedIn about aging parents and I found myself pondering how it has affected my own life. After reading the post, I responded with my own thoughts I have yet to share with anyone, especially my family members.
I know this all too well.
For me, it is an honor and privilege to care for Mom during this stage. I rejoice that she is still with us, and look forward to celebrating her 88th birthday next week, Dec 18th.
I cherish our moments together even if she repeats herself a hundred times, after all, she did the same for me as a toddler. I hold her, hug her, kiss her, laugh with her and especially cry with her during those – oh….so…. not feeling well…. times.
I am blessed to have conversations with Mom that are etched in my memory, recorded in my brain’s database, snapping pictures with the blink of my eyes, fully aware that the lenses of my camera do not suffice, can never capture these precious memories.
I treasure the personal touch – the whispers of her words as she wrestles with articulating her thoughts which are clearly evident to me as I can see they are stamped in her eyes that are greyed over and no longer “see”, because I KNOW her from days gone by.
And I wait patiently, holding her hand, smoothing out the wrinkles on her brow, gently caressing the softness of her cheeks, no rush….
And when she is finally able to utter her thoughts, we both laugh out loud – belly laughs from deep within….
Ahhhh……
I love her dearly, and she often reminds me, “Tracy, remember when we were in Kansas, and you were about 4 years old, and you said, Mom, I will always take care of you?” “Remember when you were in Liberia… remember when we lived in Brooklyn and I used to send you to the store….”
I reply, “absolutely 💯, I remember. It’s an honor to take care of you, Mom”. And I am grateful that she cannot see tears streaming down my face. Or so I think.
Because she also KNOWS me, and can hear my silent cry. In the hospital room she whispers, “oh Tracy, it’s okay. don’t cry; don’t cry; It’s okay.”
So grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ who holds us both in the Palm of His Hand. Cherish the moments.