Hello everyone! It's been over a year since my last post, and I'm glad to be back, spreading my thoughts across the interwebs. A lot has happened in the last year, but I'd like to start with something I've been waiting to post for months.
We moved my grandparents down to Texas from Missouri almost 2 years ago. As happens with anyone who lives long enough, their mental and physical health have been failing in their old age. I've noticed, however, that some habits and preferences continue to live strong.
The assisted living center where they've been staying was kind enough to cut a hole between their two rooms and install a door, giving them a bit of an apartment. It's great. Because my grandma has required much more aid, nurses come and go regularly; the door is always unlocked. And, because there is no need, there is no lock on the door between the rooms.
This afternoon, Kelley and I will pick up Grandpa to go visit Grandma in a rehab center, where she's staying temporarily. We'll celebrate Father's Day while my parents are out of town, and sit and chat together. We might even play cards. But when we pick up Grandpa and walk out of his room together, he will leave the light on and lock his door.
I'm not sure why he thinks he needs to keep the light on or lock his door in an assisted living center. I can't imagine that if anyone did steal anything that they would get very far with it. I guess securing your property is just one of those things that you never stop doing. Or, maybe it's one of the last things he is able to control himself.
No doctor or nurse, no son or daughter, not even his old age can stop him from keeping a bit of normalcy in his life. He lives in a different type of home in a different town in a different state, surrounded by different people. And yet, a small piece of metal in his pocket and a switch on the wall are all he needs to hold on to "normal". Or perhaps all he has.
I can't imagine what it must be like to see your own mind and body failing day after day, year after year. It must be torturous. I will have the same issues he has: allowing others to not only help me, but becoming dependent on others to help me will be impossible. I can only pray that God will spare me that pain in my old age and that he will grant Frank peace and mental security today. For he is still my mother's father, and we love him.
No comments:
Post a Comment