with questioning eyes
and then turns away.
Was it not just yesterday
she was a child of six
with plaited braids down
her back going off to school?
And where is the girl, a barber's
daughter, smuggling liquor
through a secret door to clients
of her father?
Inside that small withered frame
she is still the girl of eight
running off to read Nancy Drew
in a cemetery of Pilgrim ghosts.
And yes, in her dreams, she is still
young and carefree, jumping off
a pier where the land meets the sea.
Mom on Mother's Day morning at Newfield House.
Mom at Morning Time Exercises at Newfield on Mother's Day, 2008.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Mother's Day, I visited Mom at Newfield House in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She had been a resident at the nursing home for six days. Mom, at 91, has alzheimers and we felt that it was time for her to be in safe surroundings. At this point, Mom is not too happy with her girls. She wants to go home to the comfort of "her own home" where she "has the freedom to do as she pleases"! Those are her words. As yet she does not see the beauty of Newfield...maybe when the weather gets warmer, we can take her outside and the beautiful gardens of Newfield will sooth her soul.
The view outside Mom's window.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 46
Beautiful pictures - of the outdoors, but most especially of your mom. I miss Doris.
She'll be fine, no need to feel guilty. You've put her in a very beautiful place and she'll be safe there.
Blessings.
Your poem was quite moving, my friend, and the last line--''in her dreams, she is still
young and carefree, jumping off/a pier where the land meets the sea"--just floored me. Instant tears: that's beautiful writing, and I'm quite sentimental, clearly, but I don't mind opening my heart to sentiments so precisely rendered, with the utmost care and the ultimate love.
She will adjust
Focus on the flowers
Point them out
Every day
Your article is Featured in Wednesday Writing Essentials and in The Triple Name Club.
Greta article Elizabeth...hugs to your Mom..
I am featuring this in the Chat & Connections Garden Cafe.
she is a beautiful woman and she has a lovely place to live and be safe...
Blessings to you and your Mom and family...
Hugs Glitter Graphics
Forgive my sarcasm, but our government's policies are both rude and simply absurd.
(Has a SWAT team surrounded Newfield House?)
Phyllis, It would be lovely if you came with me someday and we could bring Justin. Mom really likes little kids.
William:
Yup! My granddad was a bootlegger and he smuggled "contrabands" through a hole in the bathroom. Mom was on the other end taking the money. But of course this was in the 20's so I doubt whether a swat team is going to surround Newfield House.
Today I was at Kingston Elementary School all day from 8-2 observing an all-day kindergarten. That school is just beautiful. I was in 2 different classes...couldn't believe their furniture, tables, toys, etc....all brand new. I was impressed. At lunch time I ate with the second grade teachers and they were wonderful. Then I casually checked out the first grade classrooms. Very nice.
As for Mom...that would be wonderful. I would certainly love for you and the girls to come. Why don't we wait a few weeks till she gets "settled in"! And of course, I'd love to visit Breezy's Gram.
Do not feel guilty as it is one of the hardest decisions to make and I hope I never have to. It is way too scary to leave her alone, it is a good place and a good thing that you have done for your mother.
Your mom is beautiful and it is wonderful that you can see her as a whole person who once was young and in her mind still is.
My Mom and I moved into gether a few months ago as she is getting some demitia. She is 92. Wrote a poem about this to :) Used To Be ... She used to be older than me; but no more. IT is hard. Demitia isn't as difficult as Alzheimers I believe. Your Mom looks like she is in a good place.
And I know how difficult this is.
Wishing you and your mom every happiness...