March 24, 2015
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Did I Ever Tell You
"Did I ever tell you..."
That's where it begins in your 9o's.
Do I need to correct you and supply you with facts?
Should I change the subject since I've heard the subject 50 times before?
Compassion flows up from the bottom of my feet and finally my mouth works.
"What happened next?," I ask.
Imagine no relatives, you're 91 with bad eyesight, and living in your own home. Everyone you know has told you that you could live somewhere safer and professionals will tell when it's time for what you need. Imagine that you're "not going to leave my home." The house you designed and had built. In a place where you've lived for 60 years. Imagine that!
You've recently split your head open, and recovered. You tell stories about how sick you were when you were a child. You've had many parts removed and until now, you've been feeling pretty darn good. Imagine that!
I tell you that you have the right to be unhappy about all these changes at 91. As soon as I do your positive light, the one that has kept you in the game for so long goes on.
"Oh I've had it pretty good, you know. Did I ever tell you..."
"What happened next?"
(pats heart, and points to aging)
Comments (3)
You're such a great listener -- as you said in your previous post, you might have been a therapist so you could be paid for it :-) ! I'm so hoping to avoid that lonely phase of life -- am looking at moving from my 2-story townhome to perhaps a retirement community, where I will have acquaintances and neighbors of my own age and abilities. Oh, did I ever tell you ~ ~ ?
I wish you were here to talk with (listen to) my mother. She's 97 and lives with me, but is lonesome. She misses her friends and relatives who have gone on. She can't hear good, and won't wear her hearing aids, so it's kind of hard to have a conversation with her.
You are a star! I'm sure you've made that woman's life a bit brighter - just by listening!!