I do occasional handy-man work for a home bound man here in town. Its on an as needed basis. Usually its something along the line of removing some dead leaves from around the porch. Hell say something like, I like to sit here. The outdoors is good for me. But I see those leaves and Im offended. Theyre dead and Im dying. I dont like to be reminded of my own mortality! So please, remove them. Other times its just changing a light bulb. He pays me a generous wage, always rounds up to the full hour, even though I rarely work even an hour. Several months ago his wife had a serious fall in their home. She now in a nursing home. This weekend his regular caregiver is off. So, I took him to visit his wife this afternoon. Theyre both 90. Theyve been married for 67 years. He only retired five years ago. There they were in their wheelchairs. Hes hard of hearing and her voice is weak. Before her fall he would have to convince her for weeks to allow me into their bathrooms to change light bulbs because she didnt want me to see what turned out to be immaculately clean bathrooms, but with added rails and lifted seats for the toilets. I hadnt seen her in months, not since about a week before she fell. Shed stopped coloring her hair. And it looked good. He asked me to wheel them out to the courtyard so she could get some air. All of a sudden I find myself asking if she wants the footrests put on her wheelchair. She did. Then I had to adjust them properly. There I am moving this womans feet for her whereas only months ago she wouldnt come downstairs if she thought her hair was not presentable. Today she was grateful for the assistance. He and I visited her for about an hour and a half. Often I was included in the conversation. But I also offered to leave them alone. They declined my offer. I watched as they annoyed each other with miscommunications, pondered their mortality aloud, held hands, and recounted dinners at their favorite Italian restaurant. Occasionally they both just stared into space. Then it was time to go.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 02:20:53 +0000
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