I care for a priceless lady who is pleasantly demented. Her mobility has decreased significantly. She marvels that she wants to get up and move but her knees just sit there and do nothing. She stares at and then smacks them and says, “Come on knees!” The way she does that, I keep expecting themContinue reading “Like a Fart in a Frying Pan”
Category Archives: Aging
My Body is a Sagging Tent
A dear friend, 6 significant years younger than I, contacted me feeling woebegone. She’s about to turn forty and she feels lousy. Her eye-sight is suddenly failing, her metabolism is on strike, and her children – all under the age of 8 – think they are smarter than her despite her doctorate degree. She’d envisionedContinue reading “My Body is a Sagging Tent”
Decompression
I’ve been trained in First Aid/CPR for over 20 years but never had to use it in an emergency. On a warm Tuesday afternoon, a precious lady beside me suddenly passed out. She was sitting in a tall seat and instantly needed to be supported to avert a fall. Thankfully, there were 3 other peopleContinue reading “Decompression”
The One You’re With
I’ve heard it said that if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with. The two captivating desires of elderly residents I’ve cared for over the years have been to be in their own home and to have family visit everyday and care for them. They are almost obsessive desires.Continue reading “The One You’re With”
such pretty stretch marks
Such pretty stretch marks! have you ever said that? how does one appreciate them? gingerly, once one gets past the revolting discovery of their presence. Take a rose, for instance. how plain she’d be without those streaks. how seductively she sways those hips. how she teases with her intoxicating aroma. close your eyes andContinue reading “such pretty stretch marks”
Grief Gauntlet
Today marks the end of my annual grief gauntlet. It starts subtly enough with the passing of summer, my favorite season. The weather gets cooler and the days shorter. Then I know it’s time to get my game face on. On September 29th five years ago, my sister passed away from ovarian cancer at theContinue reading “Grief Gauntlet”
Holding it Together
I remember my youth, Fast and uptight, Resilient and taut, Easy to excite. Then I was a dish, but now turning Into a well-seasoned casserole; As my physical knack to hold it together slacks, Goes lax. I’m more flexible though. Resting and relaxing, Stretching and accommodating, Binding and creating. For the afternoon knows WhatContinue reading “Holding it Together”
Burying the Cat II
JD darted from the church and into his car in record time. Drenched in sweat, he felt like he would pass out. After he’d got a grip on himself, he reached into his front pocket of his stiff new Bi-Mart jeans for the infamous phone. He stilled his shaky hands and flipped the little gadgetContinue reading “Burying the Cat II”
Knock Your Ass to the Floor
I’m scraping my left overs into the kitchen-scrap bin for my chickens. I smile sadly as I think of Coach. I wish it was his left-overs I was scraping … As far as I can tell he has always commanded authority, even though he is the biggest kid on the planet. I would watch hisContinue reading “Knock Your Ass to the Floor”
Ash Tuesday
This is a tribute to one of the most dignified people I have ever had the privilege of caring for. He and his family impacted my life deeply for almost 2 years. Some people grow deep roots into our hearts in no time… Our beloved Gorge flares in a fury of flames and ash StartedContinue reading “Ash Tuesday”
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