Life is a
journey, and as we age sometimes there are bends in the road that we will never
foresee…
I am
employed by a post-acute rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility. Some of
our residents come and stay only briefly to recuperate from surgery. Others reside
with us because they have physical handicaps or specific medical needs that their
families are not equipped to handle. And many come to us because they have become lost in their
own world with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and require round-the-clock care to keep them safe and
comfortable.
Each resident touches my heart and inspires me in some way with
his or her story. This is one such story, one of my “tales from the inside,” about
a woman who came to stay in our facility, and the husband who visited her faithfully
each day…
Love Undying
He
comes to visit each day,
reminding
us as he enters that he’ll
be taking
her home as soon as she’s
better,
as soon as she’s stronger;
his
dear sweet wife.
He
lives for this woman, now mute
regressed
in her memory--
holding
tightly to a baby doll
perhaps
for comfort, or perhaps
lost
in vision of childhood
long
past.
He
gently wheels her through the halls
as
though on some grand tour--
then
he sits on the sofa in the hall
and
lovingly clasps her pale parchment hand.
Talking
softly, he asks
“Do
you know what day today is?
It’s
New Years eve day”
……“Can
you hear me?”
……“Do
you know who I am?”
and
I wonder…
When
I am old and lost in my thoughts
will
someone come to see me each day,
gently
take me by the hand--
and
quietly remind me who I am?
(To listen to Ginny recite this poem click here)
Ginny Brannan: Residing in New England with husband of 31
years, son and two cats, Ginny Brannan took poetry and creative writing courses
in both high school and college. Foregoing degree, she headed directly into the
workforce. In 2009, Ginny found herself out of work and facing the ominous task
of finding employment in a cyber world and declining job market. Struggling to
keep afloat, a long-time friend suggested she tap back into her creative side
and pick up a pen and write (or Macbook and type as case may be). She credits
the therapeutic effects of writing to getting her through this stressful time.
Ginny writes both traditional poetry and free verse. She has been published in
The River Muse, an on-line Art & Literary Journal. You may read more of her
poetry on her website here, listen to her recite her poems here or connect with
her Ginny on twitter.
~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~
This poem is beautiful. It makes you wonder if we will have a soulmate to be there in our golden year's. I sure pray that we all do.
ReplyDeleteThis so reaches into my heart. My mother had Alzheimer's and I watched my father tenderly take care of her even when he had to put her in a nursing home. Thanks for writing and sharing such a beautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Ginny and it brought tears to the corners of my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this love too.
Anna :o]