When I'm 87

There's nothing like great grandchildren to brighten my mother's life! In celebration of her 87th birthday, I surprised her with a visit to my nephew Patrick's house. His five young children love their great grandmother and always make her feel so special by welcoming her when she visits. Patrick's brother Mickey and his wife and two daughters joined us as well. Mom got lots of hugs, homemade cards, and plenty of attention. The visit was short but sweet and on the ride home she exclaimed, "Well, that certainly was a very enjoyable day, wasn't it?"

I wonder what she will be like a year from now. As much as I wanted to get more family together for this yesterday, I didn't have much success. Her grandchildren are young parents and lead busy lives. I get how hard it is to make the sacrifice of our precious time in the midst of it all. A part of me is sad though. Sad that Mom doesn't rate high on her extended family's priority list. Next year, she may not remember many of them. Next year, I won't try to have any kind of celebration for her.

In a few days, I will be 60 years old. If God grants me long life, one day I will be 87. Will the people I have loved and served and lived life with feel moved to honor me or will they forget me?

I'm grateful we found The Wellstone House for Mom to live in. She's around people all day. She likes it there. I imagine myself one day being housed like that. Giving up all my belongings, reduced to a bedroom, a small wardrobe, tv, rocking chair, yarn, crochet hooks, and word search books. Reduced to waiting for people to come visit. Aging seems like a cruel joke life plays on us. Mom didn't see assisted living in her future. Thank you, Alzheimer's. In reality, even if I could have taken care of her, she would have been reduced to a bedroom full of minimal stuff.

Days like yesterday help I think. Mom felt special. I knew it was a good thing to do for her. It wasn't exactly what I had wished for, but I knew there wasn't much hope for getting what I wished for anyway! And as 5-year old Ava told us recently, "A wish is something you probably won't get. A hope is something you probably will." Dare I hope to be cherished when I'm 87?




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Location:Gile Rd,Nottingham,United States