It looks cozy and inviting, and she looks so comfortable in it. What a beautiful, colorful view!
My mother has a similar pile on the side table next to her chair: Phone, remote controls, pen and pencil, photos, a tissue, a Bible, a magnifying glass, her daily crossword puzzle. She never keeps a drink or anything to eat over there, she says she wants to get up to go to the kitchenette every now and then because if she sits too long she'll stiffen up.
So pretty the way the sunshine reflects on the warm hardwood floor, it looks like home.
ellen, thank you for this sharing. You mom keeps at her side all the same things as my mom! down to the last thing, the daily crossword puzzle, which my brother brings her each morning. I know so well your journey with your mom. We are at the same stage and privileged to be there for our mothers. I love having you here in this place, your warmth and kindness and non judging way. Armfuls of love.
I bet once she could fly like your daughter. I've been looking at old photos of my mother and aunts today. From when they were younger then all but one of my own children are now. In their early 20s. Now they are your mother's age. Your aunts age. Time just keeps passing. and my foot is aching today.
it is a beautiful room and your mother looks beautiful too.
Dear Kristin, yes, she used to fly. Indeed she did. It is so poignant looking at the old photos, seeing our elders when they were young and fleet, and realizing that just as we think time has just evaporated, it is so much more for them. I envy youth, their lack of knowing how quickly it will all go by. Put that foot up on a fat pillow. Take care of you. Thank you for being here. Love.
umm... is she texting?? Something I can't even do! She looks great and I'm sure that amazing view out the window is one thing that keeps her going.
My mother also keeps keeps the same things as your and Ellen's mom by her side. Except for the crossword... she never got into those. Bible of prime importance, forever losing the phone.
Deborah, haha no she is not texting, but if you knew my mom you'd know it's a fair question! Actually, she is dialing very carefully, picking out the numbers as her finger tips sometimes feel numb. And like your mom, the Bible is of prime importance, all her prayer books in fact, including her Daily Word. She has three phones to be exact. The local Jamaican one, the Vonage one for overseas calls, and her cell, which my brother insists she doesn't need, but which she keeps close anyway. She's not moving around that much these days, so she no longer loses the phones. But she used to. Enjoy your mom. They are such troopers, these wise elders. Love to you and Ron!
Ah yeah. Bless. My mother can't do the crossword any more or read either, not much. And she has a basket of needlework but she can't do it any more. She blames her eyes. But what I wanted to say is this- you made an entire poem there. You gave us insight and beauty and courage and strength and acceptance. Thank you.
Elizabeth, it's your natural empathy, i think, because the truth is, this makes me cry too. I tried to write this post without tears, but you found me out. xo
my reaction was so similar to elizabeth's. there's something very profound here, about being human, alive, and how we adapt to each stage of life. she's strong & lovely, angella. as are all the members of your family, yourself included.
dearest susan t., thank you. i was trying to convey all that about my mom, and you got it, bless you. she is strong and lovely. the rest of us, poor copies yet. love to you, friend.
It looks cozy and inviting, and she looks so comfortable in it. What a beautiful, colorful view!
ReplyDeleteMy mother has a similar pile on the side table next to her chair: Phone, remote controls, pen and pencil, photos, a tissue, a Bible, a magnifying glass, her daily crossword puzzle. She never keeps a drink or anything to eat over there, she says she wants to get up to go to the kitchenette every now and then because if she sits too long she'll stiffen up.
So pretty the way the sunshine reflects on the warm hardwood floor, it looks like home.
Love to you and your mother :)
ellen, thank you for this sharing. You mom keeps at her side all the same things as my mom! down to the last thing, the daily crossword puzzle, which my brother brings her each morning. I know so well your journey with your mom. We are at the same stage and privileged to be there for our mothers. I love having you here in this place, your warmth and kindness and non judging way. Armfuls of love.
DeleteI bet once she could fly like your daughter. I've been looking at old photos of my mother and aunts today. From when they were younger then all but one of my own children are now. In their early 20s. Now they are your mother's age. Your aunts age. Time just keeps passing. and my foot is aching today.
ReplyDeleteit is a beautiful room and your mother looks beautiful too.
Dear Kristin, yes, she used to fly. Indeed she did. It is so poignant looking at the old photos, seeing our elders when they were young and fleet, and realizing that just as we think time has just evaporated, it is so much more for them. I envy youth, their lack of knowing how quickly it will all go by. Put that foot up on a fat pillow. Take care of you. Thank you for being here. Love.
Deleteumm... is she texting?? Something I can't even do! She looks great and I'm sure that amazing view out the window is one thing that keeps her going.
ReplyDeleteMy mother also keeps keeps the same things as your and Ellen's mom by her side. Except for the crossword... she never got into those. Bible of prime importance, forever losing the phone.
Deborah, haha no she is not texting, but if you knew my mom you'd know it's a fair question! Actually, she is dialing very carefully, picking out the numbers as her finger tips sometimes feel numb. And like your mom, the Bible is of prime importance, all her prayer books in fact, including her Daily Word. She has three phones to be exact. The local Jamaican one, the Vonage one for overseas calls, and her cell, which my brother insists she doesn't need, but which she keeps close anyway. She's not moving around that much these days, so she no longer loses the phones. But she used to. Enjoy your mom. They are such troopers, these wise elders. Love to you and Ron!
DeleteAh yeah. Bless. My mother can't do the crossword any more or read either, not much. And she has a basket of needlework but she can't do it any more. She blames her eyes.
ReplyDeleteBut what I wanted to say is this- you made an entire poem there. You gave us insight and beauty and courage and strength and acceptance. Thank you.
Dear Mary, I feel your tender heart in this comment, and i love you for it. Thank you for seeing my mother as she is. She is all that, oh yes. Hugs.
DeleteOh-and mostly...grace.
ReplyDelete:) xo
DeleteI don't know exactly why, but when I mouthed the words you wrote and scanned the photos, I began to cry.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, it's your natural empathy, i think, because the truth is, this makes me cry too. I tried to write this post without tears, but you found me out. xo
Deletemy reaction was so similar to elizabeth's. there's something very profound here, about being human, alive, and how we adapt to each stage of life. she's strong & lovely, angella. as are all the members of your family, yourself included.
ReplyDeletedearest susan t., thank you. i was trying to convey all that about my mom, and you got it, bless you. she is strong and lovely. the rest of us, poor copies yet. love to you, friend.
Delete