My mother, Susan, is turning 84 this week. This is a painting I did of her a while back. Lately, I have been watching her slow way down and it makes me sad. This is woman who raised six girls and one boy. Yesterday I brought her to the RMV to renew her license, since she still insists on having a license and her car available, even though she cannot drive. Waiting at the RMV with her I couldn't help but think about a few years back when we were in Sicily and how the elderly were revered there. How nice that was to see. In contrasted at the RMV, we had to stand for quite a while before someone offered up their seat to her.
Every time I see an elderly person struggling to get somewhere in the market or at the post office, I imagine who they use to be. I can understand some of their bitterness. My mother is very fortunate to have six daughters pretty much at her service. Three of us are local and the other four are not too far away. We are her assisted living I suppose. We bring her meals, take her shopping, to dinner, and to Mass of course. I am grateful for our numbers so that these tasks are not left on one sibling's shoulders. I know there are many people, out there doing the same and a lot more for their aging parents. This is a strange time of my life.
3 comments:
Catherine, That's my Grandmothers name from Ireland. I hear what you are saying. My Mother had Alzheimers and I lost her in 2003.
Now I am 75, and lucky my Daughter is moving to Maine. I hope I always keep my licence. No one wants to lose their independence.
Give a hug to your Mama from me.
yvonne
Thank you Yvonne. Glad your daughter is moving to Maine. You are 75 years young.
That's a beautiful portrait. How lovely that all of you are there for your mother, too.
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