Today, this little lady is 87 years old.
Up until last week, she was able to live in her own home, with her husband of 57 years. That all changed when my stepfather, her husband, fell on February 27, broke his hip, and had to be transported to the hospital for a total hip repair.
You may remember I told you that in the past 5 years my mother has broken both her hips which resulted in subsequent stints in rehab. My stepfather, after surgery, was admitted to the same rehab nursing home she’d been in.
Since he was, effectively, her legs, her re-heater of food I cooked, did the washing up and the preparing, plus walked 3/4 of a mile to the mailbox and back each day, she couldn’t be left alone in her home without him or someone to help her out, no matter how much she said she didn’t need the help. She did.
By a miracle, or angels dancing together, or even all the planets aligning, I was able to get her admitted to the same nursing rehab facility as my father and yesterday, after a week in separate rooms, they were transferred to the same room.
Despite the few-day blip, they are back together again.
And this is where they will live out their days.
For the past week, I have had to cancel their lives – their independent lives. Their cable had to be discontinued, and disconnected, the box returned to the store. I had to get their taxes done. I had to first clean their home, then clean it out and get it ready for sale. By myself. No easy feat, and very time-consuming. I’ve had to become their Power of attorney so I could cancel credit cards, pay their bills, and attempt to sell their home.
I’ve always hated being an only child and never more so than this week.
But this isn’t a pity party for one, folks. This blog is about my mother. She’s 87 today and every day she wakes up, thanks God she is alive, and then says that she never thought she’d lived to see this age.
In all honesty, I didn’t either.
But… I am thankful she is reunited with the love of her life, is being cared for by an excellent staff 24/7, is eating well, and getting some much-needed physical rehab and mental stimulation. My stepfather is as well.
So if you have a moment free today, say a prayer for this little lady and then call your mother and tell her you love her. ~ Peg.
Peggy Jaeger, Author 