'They' say you are only as old as
you feel. Let me ask: how many
mornings have 'they' been creaked
awake for vitals, joints howling in
protest? How many times have
'they' had their lives scheduled to
doctor's appointments and pills?
How many afternoons have 'they'
been fed food that smells as
unappetizing as it looks? How
many evenings have 'they' been
tied to wheelchairs or hidden
away for convenience's sake?
How many nights have 'they' lain
in a darkened room, lonely unto
death, listening to the world pass
by their door on whisper-soled
feet? 'They' haven't been in a
nursing home; 'they' don't know
what they're talking about ...
Your poem is the story of so many elderly people, Karla. My mother-in-law passed away a month ago, after spending 2 years in a nursing home. Truth in every word of your poem. I've seen them.......
Thisis so sad but true. My 93-yr-old mom-inlaw lived on her own and drove her car until she had a sciatic nerve attack which meant rehab in a nursing home. Note she was not sick--just injured. By the time she left 5 months later she had contracted a near fatal UTI, complicated by E-coli, then laying in bed so much from that caused blood clots to form and pass near her heart and lungs, causing a "cadiac event" --whatever that means. Being a tough lady she is well and home again, but she is one of the lucky ones. Thanks for this!!
Karla, not only do the words of "They" chill me to the bone, your words give me a sense of deep loneliness, which is exactly what the words are meant to do.
Mark
I've worked in Inter-mediate care in both private and public institutions and find it a sad situation sometimes. But there are those indomitable spirits who refuse to wither and be drab. I love to spend time with these ones. Excellent write here. Hugs, J'nia
We have more compassion for our pets than we do for our own. Been there and done that myself, my friend. I understand exactly where you're coming from. Sad write, Karla. God bless.
Karla, after having seem my husbands mother and aunt go through this only months apart I have to agree with you completely. I do not think it is humane to keep pumping meds into people just for the sake of prolonging life. I can tell you this is a very undignified life that can last anywhere from years to days before a person thankfully passes into peace.
This isn't just an excellent poem Karla, it is am important one as well, that should open the dialogue on when to let our loved one's go.
Your compassionate words written with plain truth should touch all "those" who don't know whereof they speak! Excellent write Karla,having worked with seniors I know these truths so sad,but
too many are in this condition,need to be remembered...Thank you!
I am afraid I know all to much about this situation having to face decisions like this is never easy, but sometimes we have no other choice, still I think we need to think about what we are doing before we do it
In Christs Love
Michelle~
Thank you so mcuh for this poem Karla. My hope is that our culture will respect older adults. Especially in nursing homes. I used to volunteer in a couple of nursing homes and did home visits for our church.Oh yes- we need to do better.
That's why I always say live life to the fullest
For you never know what tomorrow will bring
Great write, you didn't pull any punches with this one, as it should be
Have a great day
The Buzzard
Very well stated and one topic that can't be stressed enough...we may for medical reasons have to move our elderly into such places but it is not a licence to forget they exist.
That is why I like our cultures. Chinese people always stay together as a family. We all stayed with our parents until we had to go elsewhere away from Hong Kong; my parents stay with our grandparents. We all lived so happily under one roof. Never would any of the Chinese people put any parents into the nursing homes. Our success if measured on how well our parents and our grandparents live.
I don't understand how people can put a parent into a nursing home and seem to forget to visit. Sad!!!
Powerful questions that must be addressed and realized as people face these difficult situations when their parents age. I only pray I never end up being a "they"; I pray God gives me a good life as a senior citizen (that is, if He allows me to live that long; I pray He does)! Very well penned, Karla; you give us much to think about today! BRAVA!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :(
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
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Cryssa
Micki Peluso
peace, Carole~
Mark
Am screaming as loudest as I can but very few heard me.
Georg
This isn't just an excellent poem Karla, it is am important one as well, that should open the dialogue on when to let our loved one's go.
~ Sara
too many are in this condition,need to be remembered...Thank you!
Love,
Eileen
In Christs Love
Michelle~
With Love,
Cindy
For you never know what tomorrow will bring
Great write, you didn't pull any punches with this one, as it should be
Have a great day
The Buzzard
Fee
I don't understand how people can put a parent into a nursing home and seem to forget to visit. Sad!!!
Sandie Angel :(
Very interesting point you make. How clear you make it, that the only person who really knows how you feel is you.
Mary
(((HUGS))) and much love, your twin, Karen Lynn. :(