This is a December that will be remembered for many reasons. While it has already been festive, the house is decorated for celebrating, and candles named "Home For Christmas" or "Heart at Home" fill the air with rich fragrance, there is also a tinge of sadness lingering. I've been packing my folk's belongings, readying them to be moved into one of our apartments next door. I've gone through drawers that contain momentos from my childhood, a box holding my dad's WWII "dog" tags, special dishes my Grandmother had, baby dresses my mother made for her two very loved girls, and many other objects evoking visions of my wonderful life with my parents. I am so blessed to still have them. Daddy is nearly 86 and Mama is 84. He is nearly totally deaf and seems to be getting more feeble. She is legally blind and crippled from a broken hip. They want to help with the packing but can't. They sit and watch as we disassemble their home. Once as I was in the other room, I heard my mother beginning to sob. Daddy slowly stood up from his chair, bent down to hug her and said, "Everything will be alright." They were active for so long, slowed some when each had a leg broken in a car wreck about 9 years ago. But they've been most independent. And they've been devoted parents and grandparents to my sister and myself and our families. It is an emotional time, probably the most challenging season of their lives.
Looking ahead, I believe it will be a good move. I will be just out the door and down a sidewalk. We will have an intercom or some system for communicating easily. I look forward to having meals with them and having them come down to watch a movie or visit. It's not as though they've been a great distance from me but this will be very close. I pray that the days we have will be very happy with laugher and good times together. They have given us so much love and I am thankful we are able to make this time as enjoyable and happy as it can be.
When we get their things moved into their apartment, I will post pictures.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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4 comments:
Mam read your post to me just now. I think it is quite sad and I will pray for them. Are they saved? If they are saved will you ask them to pray for me?
Are you looking forwards to Christmas? We are going away for a holiday to Galway for Christmas. In a hotel! I can't wait.
SEAN
Jennifer, that is a very moving post. I hope that the future holds many blessings for your whole family. I think what you and your family are doing is such a good example to others and that's one of the reasons I showed your post to Sean.
I know that it's going to be really hard for them to leave the home they have lived in for so long. I'll pray that they are happy in their new place and that the transition will go smoothly. Mom is kind of doing the same thing with all the meals she takes to my grandparents. Grandma doesn't cook at all anymore. It's so sad to see your loved ones grow old. But, I'm so very thankful for the time I have with them!
Jennifer, I remember so well the same situation with my parents. It is such a hard thing. I keep telling myself that I need to start a "purging" in my home so my daughters don't have to do it. I am a such a hoarder...another story. I know the future will be a better situation but I also know it is hard. I keep thinking we want be able to take one thing with us to heaven so what difference does it make...But it does matter for some reason.
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