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Open Poetry #49
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Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

0 posted 2015-12-17 01:50 PM





Watching my mother go
has been painfully slow,
and I will admit hard to accept.
She used to be so adept
at everything she tried to do.
Now, most days she sleeps through.
She can’t walk.
She can barely talk.
But I think she still knows me.
It is hard for me to be healthy
because we share the same genes.
I’d rather die by some other means
than slowly slipping away.
I’ll take a heart attack any day.
I’d rather be dead
than have to be fed.
For the life of me
it is the only reason I can see
that I’ve been ignoring
my Dr.’s warning
about my lifestyle.
It has taken me a while
to come to this conclusion.
Saying I was lazy was my delusion.
I would rather be healthy and strong.
I just don’t want to live so long
it will be painfully slow
for my children to watch me go.

LGR©12/17/15

© Copyright 2015 Lori Grosser Rhoden - All Rights Reserved
Ticklefingers
Senior Member
Posts 710
Louisiana
1 posted 2015-12-17 02:02 PM


Lost my parents long ago. Dad in '72 and Mom in '87. The old man went quick. I was coastal then and wasn't around to hear him 'fall'. Mom went slow and my wife at the time and I cared for her to the end.

Living in the past while caring for her helped everyone at the time. When she could no longer speak well, I used to show her old toys that I still have and her spark would return. Pictures were too painful, but items she and I shared always located her 'joy bone' and it was visible to see that she remembered.

My best wishes to you, dutiful daughter. You will never regret it.


88's friend  

She told me "play one for your supper Danny and maybe you'll get breakfast".

JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
2 posted 2015-12-17 02:30 PM


My heart goes out to you, Lori.
I know it's tough to be strong, but be as best you can be.
Blessings to you and yours.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
3 posted 2015-12-17 02:37 PM


Very sad, dear Lori. We don't know how it will happen, we may want to pray for a smooth transition. There are countries where people can decide to "exit" when it gets tough, but it's not easy ... the physicians  are cautious and try to make people desist.

What counts is that we are not alone in facing our final moments down here. It takes a lot of courage and strength to "watch loved ones go" and to be able to assist them with love and infinite patience.

To become a burden for our children is a painful thought indeed.

Love and hugs.
Margherita


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2015-12-17 02:44 PM


Those who cajoled you to eat and exercise for health probably didn't know. Besides, abusing your body doesn't guarantee a quick end.

~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2015-12-18 09:22 PM


nice flow of your thoughts...james
Pete_W
Member
Posts 185
Scotland (UK)
6 posted 2015-12-20 10:44 AM


Your thoughts bring many memories, it's sad to see parents fading and endings are rarely as we would wish them to be.
Thanks
Pete

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