The Journey to Dinner
I watch them as their
day comes to a close
The continuous shuffling
The continuous shuffling
of bodies and souls
Some of them walking unaided
Some of them walking assisted
Some of them being pushed in chairs
The familiar journey to a room
Most of them won't recall from day to day
I wonder, will he or she be there
next time I visit
I've grown so fond of them all
I've grown so fond of them all
Beautiful and touching, Helen. You really have a talent for writing. I love this.
ReplyDeleteI worked in a nursing home the summer after high school as a nurses aide. It was certainly a wake up call. And very painful when I walked into a room and the bed was stripped. All those that work at and visit these facilities are angels.
Hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Jane
That poem brings back memories when my mom was in the nursing home - it's a hard thing to go through - but I'm glad you loved them all. sandie
ReplyDeleteDear Helen: This is a very touching poem which explores how our taken for granted everyday tasks take on extreme importance when one ages. You should be commended for your many efforts helping seniors maintain their independence and dignity. Hurray for our health care workers! ps I love that shuffle! Very sad to think of the impermanance of it all. Wish we could live happily forever. I guess we are preparing for that graduation!
ReplyDeleteI worked several years as a nurse in a retirement community. Those were the best years of my career. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteWe'll go through these events. We learn from each other.
ReplyDeletemy grandma passed away recently. she also suffered from memory loss. it was so sad to see her wither away ... not even knowing that she had her whole family around her. for her, she was surrounded by strangers :(
ReplyDeleteur poem brought a tear to my eyes...
What a sweet post Helen, I could understand your responsibility with your mom. It's really a difficult thing -all of it, god bless you for taking care of her.
ReplyDeleteMy husband used to visit our local retirement home on Sunday afternoons and sing for the lovely people there. This brings back sweet memories.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen.....
ReplyDeleteYour poem is so beautiful!!! I'm sure it must have given you comfort to write your feelings, as you were going through this journey with your mother.
Beautiful!!!!!
Love,
D
Beautiful and touching poem, Helen!
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law was in a nursing home for many years before she succumbed to Alzheimer disease. We visited almost every day and also got attached to many residents over the years.
It was good to see how well they were treated and cared for. Some fear nursing homes but most do a wonderful job.
Neat poem Helen!
ReplyDeleteI love your mosaic below too, it's just such gorgeous scenery! I really need to go to Oregon too!
Cindy
Beautiful Helen. Truly.
ReplyDeleteTHis was very beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThis was a little hard to read. I went out of town this week and so my daughter visited my mom in her assisted living home. Mom said, "Now whose daughter are you?" She knows she's losing it and is so vexed at herself.
ReplyDeleteTouching and tender and too soon it will be our turn-- to walk that walk.
ReplyDeleteJoanny
That is a beautifully touching post.
ReplyDeleteHoping their will be kind people around if I have to walk that walk.
Nuts in May
These places can be very inspirational if only we look.
ReplyDeleteLovely piece.
Star
Unrelated to your post...
ReplyDeleteYour words to me made me cry, thank you
xx
Sad but true. Well done, Helen.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is so lovely and a sweet tribute to your Mother.
ReplyDeleteI have walked down that road as well.
hugs
Sissie
Hi Helen! I've missed you! I guess I visited on just the right night! I love this poem you wrote...I too love the nursing homes, and learned to do so at a young age when my mother would take me as she taught them crafts. Then I was afraid of them at the tender age of 12, but she taught me a valuable lesson...to love the aged...and to glean the value they have in giving love and wisdom to others...and to just "Be" with them. You are a lovely individual Helen! May God continue to put wings to your dreams as you work with these lovelies on a daily basis. Take Care! ~CC Catherine
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem! This sharing of memorable moments seems to be a theme lately. I've got a similar post up but mine is about embarassing moments. I used to work in old folks homes and I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem this was. I enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeletea brilliant magpie and wonderful poem. i love to watch people and when they disappear there is a void. nicely done!
ReplyDeleteSome lovely word pictures and just like older people..
ReplyDeleteChristine
Some lovely word pictures and just like older people..
ReplyDeleteChristine
refreshing and empowering!
ReplyDeleteOur lives touch so many other lives. We have so many stories told, and forgotten.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece!
I spent years working in such a facility, and you've captured it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, this made me recall going to my Mom's nursing home..bittersweet memories.
ReplyDeleteI can feel your sentiment very clearly.. I know this place from when my Mom was there..thank you..
ReplyDeleteI like the use of the word 'familiarity' juxtaposed with the forgetfulness at the end of that shuffling walk...
ReplyDeleteTouching tribute to those who wait for the next phase and continue to please!
ReplyDeleteSo very touching. I also worked in a nursing home and on night duty. Many folks go during the night. You do come to love them all. Great job.
ReplyDeleteQMM
very touching, you brought warmth to an otherwise dismal situation.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully captured moment of reflection.
ReplyDeletethere by the grace of god...You captured a moment that terrifies and paralyzes whether it be contemplating our own fate or watching as a loved moves through their day---you captured this moment with compassion and a reminder to us alll to feel and relish each moment--beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteI wish every senior had someone like you to befriend them. How nice you are. Wonderful poem. It makes me see the world as a kinder place today.
ReplyDeleteNice poem. Hardest part of my living in a retirement home, too soon my new friends are gone. Time here is more precious than gold. A lesson we should all learn sooner.
ReplyDelete- it's a hard thing to go through - but I'm glad you loved them all. sandie
ReplyDeletepost free classifieds
that truly came from your heart, didn't it. It is sad, but it is true. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThis was very tender
ReplyDeleteand your writing reads out loud very nicely
wonderful words