July 24, 2007
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Aunt Margie
This is my Aunt Margie. She’s 86 years old and was my dad’s older sister. There were 7 of them, 4 boys and 3 girls. Aunt Margie has outlived all of them.
When she was 45, she started taking vitamins and putting wheat germ in everything. She would bring jars of wheat germ over to my dad, hoping it would help his failing health. He would laugh and the jar would remain unopened in the fridge and every now and then she would replace it. But she’s had such good health for so many years and I have no doubt it was all that good stuff she took for so long.
A few years ago she had a stroke. She was left with damage to her eyes and equalibrium. She went back home after some time in a rehab hospital and even though she lived alone, her daughter wasn’t far away and she did really well for a while. Then one day she fell and did some major damage to one of her legs. After that it was determined that she couldn’t live alone anymore and she moved into a nursing home.
She’s not real happy there, but it’s been about 6 years now and she’s made some friends and is fairly resigned to being there. She only has the one child, who doesn’t visit nearly enough to satisfy Aunt Margie. My sister and I had been faithfully visiting every weekend or so, but then she had some surgery a few weeks ago and really needed someone with her on a daily basis. Since I’m the only one with that kind of free time, it sort of became a part of my routine to go see her at least once a day, but usually it’s more like 2 or 3 times a day. I take her food when she wants it, or other items she needs, but mostly I just listen to her stories. And you know, she really has some good ones. She tells me old gossip about family members that are no longer alive and remembers things about growing up or trips she took or maybe pets that she’s had.
Some days I think I’m just too tired to go back up there one more time, but then I get there and her whole face lights up and I know it’s made a difference in her life. She gets so lonely.
Nursing homes are full of lonely people. I make it a point to talk to the ones sitting in the hallways in their wheelchairs. If any of you find yourselves with free time, visit a nursing home. It doesn’t matter whether you know anyone there…just ask a nurse who needs a visit. They’ll point you in the right direction. You’ll be amazed at how good it makes you feel!
Comments (6)
Baby, you can no more stop taking care of people like Aunt Margie than you can stop drinking water. And that is just one reason why I love you so much. Because you are so full of love for those who are near the end of their lives. Bringing joy into others’ lives is a damn fine hobby.
We are pulling into Theodore now, and Peanut assures me that he will be here soon. See you tonight!
My first job when I was 14 was in a nursing home. I really enjoyed it. I agree- the stories they can tell, are so interesting to listen to. Its a whole different time in life- much earlier than ours- alot was so different- but yet the same. I miss the friends I made there in the 2 years I worked there- I know they’re all gone now, but each of them hold such a special place in my heart forever. Your presence there- is just as important-if not more- than their own flesh and blood visiting them, noticing them, giving them the chance to communicate outside those nursing home walls. God blesses greatly those who give of themselves as you are.
I don’t think I could ever work in a nursing home. It seems to me that most of those workers shut themselves off emotionally from the residents. Maybe they have too because so many of them die, but it’s such a shame.
I do enjoy visiting, taking Sassy (the pomeranian) up to visit and bringing pizza or PoFolks meals for Aunt Margie and her roomie. I’m sure they appreciate it, but it also makes me feel good to do things for them. So we all benefit.
Thanks for your nice comments!
Your right – most of the workers at a nursing home are shut-off, usually because they did open their heart at one time and had it break when their friend died. I noticed also that alot of the workers “nurses aids” were mean to the residents- treating them as if they were rebellious 2 year olds- it is sad. The N.Aid positions require no training and only recieve min wages, and -like two year olds- their victims cannot “tell” on the them for the abuse. On a Different note- I VIVIDLY remember how the residents faces would TOTALLY light up when they saw a pet come in- usually a dog. They dont get to see that much. There was a kind soul I remember that came in each week with her dog to visit everyone…the old residents would beg the N Aids to get a treat for the dog from an outside store so they would have it ready for the visit, they even held back some of their own meals in a napkin to give it to the dog. Another thing I remember is how they enjoyed having their hair done and nails painted. Thats where I got my initial passion for doing hair. I would brush it and syle it- the N.Aids didnt care how they looked, and usually never bothered with personal grooming past what they were paid to do. There is a REAL ministry for a compassionate christian in visiting the elderly and shut-ins. And an immediate self-gratification that the Lord allows us to have right now here on earth- (not to mention what He has waiting for you in heaven) You Go Girl.
PS- This came to mind- I know you have read it before- but when God puts something on your heart, I’ve been taught to not delay and to share it… so here goes what God put on my heart this morning:
Mat 25:34-46
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41″Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44″They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45″He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46″Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
I Didnt mean to preach- just to bless you with His words of encouragement !
Thanks again, Diana…..those passages are wonderful!