Waiting in the Wings: A new book by Stevie Turner
Available NOW on Amazon HERE
At the grand old age of 92, my mother Dot suddenly starts telling me that she loves me. I am quite dumbstruck at these outbursts of emotion, as she has never mentioned the fact before in all of my 58 years. Over the entire course of my lifetime we have often argued bitterly, and have never really seen eye-to-eye over anything. I squirm with the inner knowledge that she wants me to reply in a similar vein, but try as I might, I cannot.
The guilt I feel at being unable to grant Dot her wish is overwhelming. As Dot’s health deteriorates more towards the final chapters of her life, I take on the role of carer. I find the only way to bring her out of her perpetual misery is to reminisce on past events by showing her old family photographs, and by helping her to remember holidays and happier times. We look back without anger and sometimes with a lot of laughter, getting to know each other better, raking over the past, and talking more than we have ever done. The process helps me, a middle-aged woman, understand the perils of ageing that I might one day face, and also the struggles that elderly people suffer on a day-to-day basis while stoically attempting to maintain their independence.
This is a true story, told in flashbacks and in modern-day often humorous conversations with my mother.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Ah. The delights of caring for ageing, failing parents who want to recapture the idyllic past. Such conflicting emotions.
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Sounds like you’ve been down that road too!
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Although my mother was born in the same year as yours, this was a late 70s thing. My husband’s hair turned grey at that point (mine didn’t!). It is so, so, draining. I feel for you, and everyone else in that situation. And yes, we wonder how we will (not) cope in our old age. Ugh. Depressing!
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It’s her determination to stay independent when she is too frail to do a single thing which is so draining! But hey, I suppose we’d be the same?
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Yes. I think so too. Mine agreed to come and live with us. And then died. Guess she didn’t really want to live with us?
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Could have been the upset of the move. My mum is in a lovely sheltered housing complex with carers on site 24/7. She’s very lucky
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Thanks Sue!
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٩(◕‿◕)۶ Hooray for YOU Sue and All you do on this ThankfulThursday ٩(◕‿◕)۶
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Thanks Morgan 🙂
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Reblogged this on A Whispered Wind and commented:
A Book Promo – beautiful true story of a care-giver. Book available on Amazon.
Comments are closed. Please visit Sue’s blog to leave a comment.
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Thank you for sharing, Lori.
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My pleasure, Sue 🙂
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🙂
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