Pedicure

When I was a thirty-something mom, my mother was a fifty-something daughter who dutifully clipped her eighty-something mother-in-law's toenails. Just the thought of it always made me cringe! Ewwwe!

A little known fact not disclosed to novices making assisted living arrangements for a loved one is that only RNs can clip nails. I was shocked the other day when Mom said, "I asked if someone would clip my toenails. No one would, so I did it myself." Knowing she didn't have clippers in her possession, I asked how she did it. "I used my crochet scissors and cut off the one that was digging in to my other toe." Her voice betrayed a hint of that sing-songy, na-na-nana-naaa-naa sound.

I of course scolded her. I of course inquired of the on-duty attendant.
"I'm so sorry but we can't cut her toe nails. There is some one who comes in, I think every eight weeks or so. Do you want me to set her up?"

"No. Thank you very much. That won't work. Mom can't wait." She needed her nails cut, and NOW!

You guessed it. Yours truly sat on the floor and did the dirty deed! And it wasn't so bad. Surprisingly, it seemed natural to put the icing on the pedicure by massaging her feet with Oil of Olay body lotion. "Wow, I guess my feet are getting some pampering!" said Mom. I looked up and smiled as she gazed down at me with her wide, toothless grin.

It wasn't so bad. Even so, I cannot imagine a day when I would sit as my daughter clipped my toenails! Ewwwe!


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Location:Gile Rd,Nottingham,United States