Before sharing my experience about an aid who took care of my mother, I want to say that when the day comes I need somebody around the clock to take care of me I won’t rejoice. It won’t be such a good day. But once over the first chock I will be grateful that there are people willing to do what is not always a pleasant task. Unfortunately it was not how my mother saw it when the time came and Anna moved into her apartment to look after her.
Anna was a kind and gentle soul who had recently arrived in the US from Poland and who spoke little English. My mother complained about it, and when I suggested it would be a worthwhile project for her to teach Anna English her response was,
“I am not here to teach her English, she is here to take care of me.”
They struggled along for the next few weeks and when I came for dinner one night my mother said, “Just so you know I let Anna go to church last Sunday.”
“That was nice of you” I replied wondering who wanted to get rid of whom? I found out soon enough. I met Anna in the lobby when I was leaving and after asking her how things were I said,
“I heard you went to church last Sunday! Which church did you go to Anna?”
“Church? Me? No Anna not church, Anna sandwich.”
Anna only stayed for a few more weeks, but I have never forgotten the incident. With a kinder attitude on my mother’s part they could have enjoyed a sandwich together!
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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything
Brigitte
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Over-Growing-Older-Positive/dp/069262385X/
P.S. If you have a story to share, I would love to hear it. Please leave a comment or email me – bbnnic@gmail.com – so that we can post it here. Thank you.
Ready to Live Longer 