So what really struck that chord with me? We just had a fantastic, endearing, week-long visit by my Mom. What I want to share with you is what an accomplishment this visit represents.
My Mom is in her late seventies and has been through a few difficult, painful years with some family losses. She may not be as sprightly as some other septuagenarians but is still able to self-manage with day-to-day activities. On the other hand, she uses a cane for assistance in walking any distance and tires very easily. She lives alone in a triplex by choice while my siblings and I would really prefer her unit would be in a community with other seniors. I think that helps paint the picture.
You see, she has not really been out of the house for more than a couple of days at the most since my father died a few years ago. They were married 54 years and did everything together. Her trips since then have been basically to attend special family events and holidays, or for healthcare, but she has not been on a "vacation" at all. And that's what makes last week so special.
She finally accepted our invitation to stay with us a full week, Sunday to Sunday. We made only a couple of minor, simple accommodations but other than that, it was a case of "here is how we live, just make yourself at home." And she loved it! She absolutely adored being out of her home and having company, when she wanted it, day in and day out.
We showed her some of the local sights and sounds of our town (a coastal town in California is a pretty good place for such things), took her to a couple of our local hangouts, and shared meals both in and out. She went shopping with my wife and even splurged a little on herself for the first time that any of us could remember. We sat and talked, watched TV, read the paper, relaxed and took naps (at least she did!). She took walks and got sunshine in our backyard, something she cannot do at home. And our local Farmers Market was just the right size for her and we happened to have perfect weather too.
My Mom took a week and she "lived" it.
That, right there, is what was so special. Despite all of her self-consciousness concerns about her special needs (again, only the most minor of accommodation on our part) she felt extremely comfortable. She never once had to worry about being judged that she was weak or a bother. She allowed herself and got a taste of life again. The great accomplishment I alluded to in the opening is, that after all this time, my Mom really "lived" the week.
The objective of "Family Wellness," as found on the Words of Wellness website: Spend more time with family and appreciate those closest to you. Love is the glue that binds.
It has taken years of effort by all of my siblings and our families to get to this week. More importantly, it took a huge effort by her. And of course, it really is a credit to and acknowledgement of how we, as a family, were raised. At the end of the week, the contentment in her voice, the glow in her face and the smile in her eyes were priceless.
In the name of Family Wellness, I ask that you please be patient an persevere with family. We know that it isn't always easy. We know it isn't always fun. But when you get to moments like these, they are always priceless. May is Family Wellness Month, please do something special with it.
A personal note in closing, Thank you Mom and Dad for teaching us so well what family, what love, really means.
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Words of Wellness
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