Use Those Fingers, Use That Mouth

When we are young, we don’t think much about the serious stuff. We live life until we are told to go to bed. Even as teens, life is still pretty awesome. Maybe a sad time or two happens, but what the heck, right?

Something happens after the kids grow up and move on with their own lives. First we have to deal with that empty nest syndrome. Does it really exist anymore? Maybe more parents work today to survive then in the days I was young. I felt lost when my kids grew up. I loved being a mom, even through my stupid mistakes. It was hard on me.

I guess God knew it so I was sent down another path of taking care of patients. He was right. It filled my life, soul and heart. First I worked in nursing homes and hospitals. It was okay, but the rules and regulations along with shortage of staff sure didn’t fulfill what I still needed, which was contact on a more personal level. Have you ever sat and really listened to those stories elderly people have to tell?

They are awesome! I took care of a lot of patients but one family will always stick out in my mind. The wife was a school teacher and the husband was a tomato farmer. I learned that the golden rule for children really was, reading, writing and arithmetic. No one gets too far without these three.

I learned about the process of tomatoes from picking them by hand to what they delivered to the table. The stories I listened to were highlights in my day while caring for them. They were the type of family that appreciated each other and life. Their love was true and I must admit, I still miss them dearly.

Next, you start gazing through the obituaries in the newspaper. Actually, you hope you don’t recognize anyone, but you have to check. When you see that first classmate’s death, it throws you for a curve. Wow, they are my age.

Then maybe there is a death or a divorce. Children gone, living alone in that big home. Maybe it’s time to sell the home and downsize into something more suitable. Less steps, less cleaning, maybe no more shoveling the steps or driveway.

You sort of slide into another stage without realizing it. You live in Senior apartments or Senior assisted living places. You make new friends. You share your own battles and the joys of being a mom. You discuss your grown children and grandchildren. You all become quiet as the topic of when the last time you saw one of your kids.

You get excited about your birthday. Not for the fact that you are another year older, but hopefully, the kids will come and visit or maybe you will get a card in the mail. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; a guaranteed day of being thought of. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be?

Here, where I live, we have as much socializing as possible. It is good for us, although some never attend. It raises the spirit. It takes away the loneliness  and sadness that screams and bounces off the walls. It saves you from having to cook for one.

The only sad thing I have to be aware of at this point is; making friends and watching their health fail. More disappointment, another loved one going to be leaving  our lives. Words of encouragement I give, and prayers that the good Lord doesn’t take another precious thing a way from me. Sounds selfish doesn’t it? Well, when we get to be older, sometimes being selfish is a good thing.

As you, yourself, walk through your own life, make sure to say hello to those you see. Smile, say hello. You may never know how you changed that person’s day. To those grown kids, stop what you are doing. Time is going by so quickly. Text or call your parent (s). Say you were thinking about them.

My Lord, don’t tell me you don’t have time or you are so busy at work!!! There are 168 hours in a week. There are 604,800 seconds in a week and 7 days in a week. Don’t use those same old excuses. We old ones caught on years ago. So hey, make the effort. Without your parents you wouldn’t be married, have kids, have a job. I could go on and on with things you wouldn’t have, if your parents didn’t want a child.