Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Tough Day... but only 24 more sleeps...

I was at the Urban Eatery for lunch today clad in my annual Santa hat ordering up a sandwich when the lady server said to me Santa shouldn't be so "glum"... and she's right about that but this morning was assessment day for my Mom at the Prince County Hospital where she has been for the last 6 weeks after having some dementia issues while a resident at Andrews Lodge in Summerside... my Mom was the principal care giver in our family particularly after my Dad died when I was 16 and she was left with me and my 3 younger siblings... she was our rock and spread love and encouragement in everything we did... I can't say enough about her positive attitude under any circumstances and her ability to see good in all especially at Christmas... today the realities of aging are straight in front of us not unlike what a lot of other families are facing with aging parents and being briefed by her doctor and care givers about what's ahead takes a lot of spirit out of everyone... Dr. Moyse, the hospital staff and Andrew’s staff have been amazing patient caregivers and we are so lucky to have such compassionate people in our lives… but I also have to thank the lady at the Urban Eatery today who got me thinking about my day… she helped me realize that my Mom would never ever want you to be "glum" and it might just be a coincidence but today is December 1st the start of the Advent Calendar... and Mom would always have one around the house and you'd know things were good when she would give us a big smile and say "only 24 more sleeps"... things will get better but thanks to that lady today I'm not going to be "glum" anymore...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

THANKS TIM..WE ALL NEEDED THAT... OUR PARENTS EXAMPLES GIVE US STRENGTH AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF HELPING OTHERS AS THEY HAVE HELPED US...WE HAVE TO FIND THE A WAY TO SHOW THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON ALL YEAR LONG..NOT JUST FOR ONE MONTH OF THE YEAR...MOST OF US HAVE GONE THRU OR WILL EVENTUALLY THE LOSS OF A PARENT I HOPE YOU FIND THE STRENGTH TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE 'S EXAMPLES SHE HAS INSTILLED IN YOU..IT IS A RIGHT OF PASSAGE FOR US ALL.....THANKS FOR MAKING ME APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFIGANT PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES.

Anonymous said...

I understand exactly what you are going through. My Dad started exhibiting symptoms of dementia four years ago this month. The past four years have been tough with so many changes for my family. My Dad passed away suddenly this past February from an unrelated illness. Always remember the good times with your mother, all of those memories will make things easier.

Anonymous said...

The love of a parent is such a joy and comfort. I just lost my Mother last month and it is amazing what triggers sadness - yesterday I was in Zellers and as I passed the Christmas cards I thought I must get a card for Mother and then realized Mother is not here - it is embarrasing when the tears start to flow and you can't stop them.