Hello everyone,
We had a different kind of Thanksgiving this year. Cora and family weren't able to get away from the dairy so they weren't here. Then Jacob was with his girlfriends, Sharon, down in SD. However, we were able to have Robert's Mom join us as we got her moved to the nursing home nearby.
THAT WAS A STRESSFUL DAY! I mean the day that we moved her out of her apartment and into the nursing home.
The day before that Robert went to the apartment where his brother and wife had come to from Fargo. Then they packed up the few chairs she could take and whatever decorations she wanted and, of course, all of her clothing and personal care items.
Robert had brought the Uhaul trailer here that night and then we took it to Napoleon. Ron and Bev spent the last night that Marly had in her home of 15 years. Then they drove the 70 miles to Napoleon and we all met in the chapel at Wentz Living Center.
All morning we spent helping Marly through the admittance process. Then they showed us her room. The nursing home fed us a very delicious meal and we were encouraged that the food would be delicious for our Mom.
After that we spent the afternoon unpacking all of Marly's belongings. There was much discussion about where to put the boxed flag that was draped over her husband's coffin as he was a veteran of the Korean War. There were other items that needed to be squeezed into such a small space. The 2 horses that her children had played with. Her vintage farina jar that had belonged to her mother. The wooden cat that had looked over her family gatherings for 6 or 7 decades.
Finally it was all unpacked and Ron and Bev left for her apartment to spend the night. They were taking the guest bedroom set they had slept in many times while visiting his mom. Marly seemed desperate not to be alone so Robert and I stayed and had her first supper with my husband's 91 year old mother. Did I say that the food is delicious.
So Marly has lived in her new home almost 2 weeks. She is doing so well! She plays Bingo every day and they have exercise time. Marly loves to do puzzles and so do others who live there. My mother-in-law told me that she walked by a puzzle and saw where a piece went so she put it in. It seemed nice to her to be doing puzzles with others who enjoy doing that!
The other night at supper my husband said "I saw Mom today." He had to go to the bank so he drove to the nursing home; walked in; visited his mother for 15 minutes; and walked out. THIS IS SO GOOD! Where she lived before, even when we were in Bismarck, her apartment was the wrong direction for us to stop and see her on our way home.
So it's a good move and we are thankful to have her closer to us!! On Marly's birthday, which was a few days before Thanksgiving, Robert brought her here for the day. She wasn't alone and Andrew's family got to give her hugs too. Marie had even made her a cake so we celebrated my mother-in-law turning 91 together! I am so very happy that she can be in our lives now!
Marly likes to walk so she has been exploring the facility every day. Once, she said, she got lost but kept going until she found her wing. Of course, a staff member could have helped her but that staunch German in her kept her searching until she was home. I am so proud of her!!!
This post is in honor of the wonderful staff who now looks after my mother-in-law and all caretakers! I think I'll see if I can find a poem about those who care for the elderly. I'll be right back.
Yes I found some but I like this one the best. Although my mother-in-law does not have dementia, she is very forgetful. She had forgotten that I was there helping her get settled in her room on her admittance day. That's all right, Robert knew that I was by his side helping on the hardest day of HIS life.
May the Lord bless all who care for those who cannot care for themselves any longer! I am also writing to honor my daughters who both care for their 4 children. Cora and Marie are home school mothers and, having home schooled my 3 children, I know how much balancing that takes.
I cannot leave it there, though, as how could my daughters home school if they didn't have super hard-working husbands who work tirelessly to meet the financial needs of their families? Then Michael and Andrew come home and are "DADDY" to their little ones.
As I have said many times, parenting is the most difficult job anyone could undertake! Fortunately, God has laid this huge responsibility on two people--a man and his wife. WHAT A GREAT GOD WE SERVE!!
Lastly I want to honor my dear husband, Robert, who sustained me all of those years of balancing the needs of the household with educating my children in a Godly home. Robert is my greatest hero and the BEST dad AND grandpa I have ever known! His support while I was in the thick of managing our household; caring for the animals; gardening and food preservation; plus home schooling is why I survived shingles on the brain in 2006. To Robert, my caretaker while I recovered the following 2 years, I love you sweetie!!!! May God bless you for all you do for our family!
To all caretakers everywhere, God sees your sacrifices for others! Remember to take a little time for YOU every day so you don't fall apart like I did! For me, it's playing my piano. Even if it's just my piano drills and 1 song, I am so much happier after I play. It's my happy time. I hope you will celebrate you every day because YOU MATTER!!
Until next time,
Dawn
Guiding Light
When shadows loom and the path ahead seems unclear, a caregiver’s presence brings warmth and direction. This poem captures the essence of being a beacon during trying times.
In the dark, you are the flame,
Guiding, glowing, always the same.
Through the storm, and calm’s delight,
You shine ever so bright, our guiding light.
Moments heavy, moments light,
You chase away the darkest night.
With patience vast and love so deep,
You awaken dreams from their sleep.
Though the journey is often long,
Your love is an endless song.
Guiding, guarding, taking flight,
Our beacon, our eternal guiding light.
