Road Trip Experience
As you know I just finished a week road trip with my sister and a friend of hers. Had a wonderful time. The reason for the trip was to support my sister as she went to visit the grave site of her late husband, and visit his mother and family. He passed away last year from Cancer. His family is in West Virginia. So it was a long trip, 16 hours from my sister’s house in East Texas.
There were many great moments, lots of laughter, crying, hugging, sharing old memories. But one thing that touched me the most on the trip was his mother. When we arrived at her home, she sat in her recliner with her little dog, hands shaking a little, soft voice that was hard to hear, alone except for her dog. She could barely walk without the aid of a cane or a walker. We spent lots of our time pampering her. Gave her a pedicure, rubbed her legs and feet with lotion. Painted her toe nails. Got her up and walking around more. Feed her meals, made sure she had water or other fluids to drink as she was dehydrated. Laughed with her. Took her on a road trip to see her daughter and sister. Took care of things around the house. Cleaned, got rid of ants, and things she could not do herself. At the end of the short fours days, she was walking without the aid of a cane. She was laughing, doing exercises to keep her more mobile and independent. Her whole demeaner had changed.
Without the touch, the company, the conversation, she was slowly getting worse. I thought of how many are in the same situation. Cut off from others. Left on their own.
I used to work with Senior Community Services. I know there is a Senior Companion Program, Meals on Wheels, and seniors who don’t mind volunteering to bring joy to other’s lives. I have to find those kind of programs in her area.
I compliment those who give of their time to others. I know many of you are caregivers. Your time and effort is such a blessing.
If you live in the Charleston West Virgina area and know of programs, please let me know.
You never get too old that human touch and caring does not make a difference.
Linda
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Awww Linda, this is a lovely post. Made me tear up a couple times. Giving from the heart is something we all could do more of, and the first thing to go when we get rushed with life day to day details. I am glad you were able to be part of this wonderful trip, a memory for a lifetime, of that I have no doubt. HS xxxxx
Linda what a lovely post. You are such a wonderful person to go with your sister and to her get her Mother in law up and walking without her cane. I agree alot of older people are left alone and it is so sad. Well you will always remember your trip to W.VA. Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us. Marie 🙂
We all need “LOVE”!!…….with out it we wither and die,……(my opinion),lovely kind ,careing post,thank you.
It is too sad she did not have access to a computer and a web site like SC. I imagine there are many on here who get on just to have companionship because they are alone.
I agree,Linda.
Linda. Your blog has a lot of food for thought and I know it is biitersweet for you and your sister.I hope you can help to manage a better situation for her. Thanks for sharing a good story.
A lovely post with lots to make us all think. The world sort of shrinks as we get more infirm as we age and we get used to that comfort zone inside and it does take someone else to lift us out of it, as often we are not aware we are even in it, as its become our own “default” and normal. Computers, Skype and such things help but nothing works as well as that personal, human touch. x x
That was a big heart from you and your sister.I normally deeply know that the quality of life is more dependent on the quality of social support we have, thank you big time for the difference you made in her life and my guess of the outcome to get help for her will yield fruit, Great blog Linda xxxx
You made some great memories, Linda.. so glad you had the chance.. And you bring up a very important point about people needing others. Touch is so important, but sometimes just some convo or communication is enough. In the medical community many suffer from ‘failure to thrive’ and it’s generally from inadequate hydration and nutrition.. but oftentimes from lack of human interaction. I worked w/ Meals on Wheels for a time and found it to be an invaluable experience. Sometimes that was all that the shut-ins had to look forward to..being brought a meal, and not even for the food but for the brief few min or so that the meal was being delivered and they had some company. So glad you got to do something so meaningful on your road trip – I’m sure it meant the world to that woman. Blessings to u. xo
Linda, thank you for sharing your wonderful blog with us. I applaud you and your sister for doing all you did on your short visit. The world needs more people like you and your sister. I’m sure this woman will never forget all you two did for her. Hugs!
It’s so easy when you’ve lots of energy and blessed with good health-easy to forget the others who aren’t as fortunate. A caring word,a smile, some help with things they might have difficulty with, these can mean so much.I visit a friend for coffee-I always come away feeling good myself- she doesn’t get out much, but she has a great enjoyment of life and is interested in everything.
Linda, your caring nature-and great common sense- come across strongly,-and you’re right about SC- it’s often a great link for people who might not get out and about, but still have an interest in life and people.