Think About It...

I stole this...

Too good not to share!   https://www.facebook.com/TheOliViral

"A friend posted this writing today and it struck me that someday EVERYONE will go thru this discarding of “things” that are the memories of one’s life. Sometimes it’s our own and more often it’s the life of someone we love…..

When my mom was cleaning out her house over 23 years ago to sell it, I wasn't very sympathetic over her attachments to things. I would go over on weekends to help her and we would go through things, things for a yard sale, things to donate, things to throw away. I would usually get upset over how long it was taking her to decide. For instance, we were going through kitchen cabinets and she spent 20 minutes looking at an iron kettle with a lid. Finally I said,

“Mom, at this rate it is going to take us another 2 years.”

She told me that her mother used to make meals in that kettle and leave them at doorsteps of neighbors during the depression, mom would deliver them, and then they would reappear back to her with an apron, or a wood carving, something in return for the meal. I realized that everything that my mom was going through was really a reliving of her life.

If you are reading this and are under the age of 60, you wont get it. You haven't lived long enough. Most of you have not had to move your parents into a nursing home, or emptied their home. You haven't lived long enough to realize that the hours you spend picking out the right cabinets, or the perfect tile will not be what matters in the later years. It will be the handmade toothbrush holder, or a picture that you got on vacation.

So, if your parents are downsizing, and moving to smaller places, or selling a home, give your mom and even your dad a break. Those things that you don't understand why they can’t just pitch, and why you think you know what needs to be tossed or saved, give them a little time to make their decisions. They are saying goodbye to their past, and realizing that they are getting ready for their end of life, while you are beginning your life.

As I have been going through things, its amazing just how hard it is to get rid of objects. But, life goes on, and you realize they are just things, but sometimes things comfort us. So give your parents or grandparents a break. Listen to their stories, because in 40 years, when you are going through those boxes and the memories come back, it will be hard to get rid of those plastic champagne flutes that you and your late husband used at a New Years party 40 years ago. You will think nothing of the tile or the light fixtures that were so important then.

As happy as they are for you, and as much as they love you, you just don't have a clue until it happens to you and then you will remember how you rushed them, and it will make you sad, especially if they are already gone and you can't say I’m sorry, I didn’t get it."

A few of mine!

Role Playing

The Mister is now the taxi cab driver. I am now the nurse.
After splitting headaches and a constant cough I gave up and saw the doc. The Mister, a/k/a taxi cab driver, drove me there, waited until I was diagnosed, prescribed meds, had chest x-rays and patiently waited until I was finished with the visit. The taxi cab driver then became the errand boy and picked up my meds and turned back into the taxi cab driver and took me home.

Then I became the cook. It was dinnertime. Then he turned into the dishwasher.

That was after I became the nurse earlier in the morning, digging out all of the bandage, antibiotic ointment, gauze tape, sterile pads, scissors and stuff that I thought I needed to patch his elbow when he tripped and fell and needed the nurse.

End of story. We are on the way to recovery! Honestly, I do not like being the nurse but I think he likes being the cab driver!

Stop now if you have qualms seeing a bruised elbow. Home care is just not what it is cracked up to be.

Me Time

Today I went to a mall with two longtime girlfriends. I don't usually go to malls. These ladies are both under 62 years of age and are world-savy. I needed a pedicure and all of us decided to have one. They go on a regular basis. I go only three times a year, usually, when my friend at our SC place goes and takes me along.  Now I haven't been since the end of March. I had "planned" to go at the end of June, but then shoulder and arm breakage prevented me from even thinking about toenails. Mistake! 

The nice fellow who worked on my old feet did a really nice job. They were a mess. I absolutely could NOT even clip them myself so he he had a real challenge. When I walked out of the facility I felt so great.  I have to "save up" to have this procedure performed. It is a luxury event for me. The fellow even put my socks and sneakers back on! 

Applebees was the next stop for a wonderful lunch. I never eat out. The morning was a complete success, thanks to two very caring friends. After reaching home I was able to take a two hour nap!

I cannot get by without the support of friends, be it via personal contact or the internet. It is a wonderful thing to have people in your life who REALLY care for and about your comfort and welfare.

Thanks! Nancy and Laura! 

Photo taken 1 week after stubbing toe.

 

Photo taken June, 2012, 3 weeks after shoulder/arm accident.