I am pleased about the attention that these pictures of my mother are receiving. Yesterday was her birthday and so we spoke last evening. Many of you know her, have known her for a long time and these shots might bring back memories of her in better times. As you may also know, life has not been particularly kind to her in certain ways but she continues to inspire despite the limitations that her circumstances place on her. What is particularly difficult for me to deal with, though she does not dwell there, is that it is so difficult for her to engage life physically. She is no longer able to read or to make use of these fabulous communication venues like we do now. Sustaining prolonged conversation is also tough for her but she is still witty, a little irreverent, kind and deferential. She can still be a tough taskmaster as may be witnessed in her dealings with her caregivers, with whom she might display little patience and deliver complimentary praise, at the same time. She lives with resignation, and curiosity at once, reconciled as only she can in her masterful way. It was never difficult to see how she mastered living while she could be active, though I confess to be among the last to take notice of her real skills with people and situations, perhaps for being too close in proximity, I took so much of that for granted. That same deftness she applies now to her living in a disabled way, giving little energy to what she cant control, and saving some for you, and me, for those who might come to spend a little time with her. What Ive noticed and it is funny that it should have taken me so long to, is that she takes nothing from you and you gain, from any encounters with her. Id like to say to some of you, to Deryke and Ann Marie, to Stephen and Karan, to you Roxanne and to our Stepfather, Barry, something that Im unable to, for there are no words that I could put together that might be able to convey what I feel for what you do. So, if Id written a happy birthday message, she wouldnt have been able to read it, but it would still have worked, wouldnt it.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 19:52:48 +0000
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