So here were some of the things that I taught that could be helpful I think to many of us and our families.
First what are some things that we help someone make the most of their Senior Years?
1. We could Collect and Write Family Histories.... Many times you alone have within you the history. In few ways will your heritage be better preserved than by your collecting and writing your histories.
2. Try to establish family reunions. Bringing your family together, can be a wonderful tradition that everyone looks forward to. If your family is close and happy, it can be like creating a bit of heaven on earth.
3. Plan for your financial future. Be cautious in your advancing years and about "get-rich" schemes or investing in uncertain ventures. Proceed cautiously so that the planning of a lifetime is not disrupted by one or series of poor financial decisions. Plan your financial future early, then follow the plan.
4. Render Christlike service. When you lose your life in service to others, you will find yourself. Peace and joy and blessings will follow those render service to others. It can make our lives sweet.
5. Stay physically fit, healthy and active as you can! Doing even something little can make a big difference in how you feel each day.
For those who have lost your spouses, sometimes there is for some of you a feeling of uselessness and aloneness which can be almost overwhelming. Try to remember how much you are needed and how much you have to still give!
If you sew, crochet or knit then you could start making blankets for each of your new grandchildren, or for someone getting married in your family or for your friends. Write letter on Birthdays or attend school and athletic events of grandchildren when you can. You could compile albums of pictures of each grandchild or family members on their birthdays. You could volunteer at your local hospitals or in other places in the community. Many have found fulfillment in serving and helping others like this.
The key to overcoming aloneness and feeling of uselessness for one who is physically able, is to step outsde yourself by helping others who are truly needy.
In times of illness and pain, we can remain strong in attitude and spirit.
Those who are ill and suffering pain and the vicissitudes of this life, our hearts and prayers should go out to them. If it this happens to us, we need to strive and remain strong in attitude and spirit. We know it is not always easy. We pray that those who now do for you tasks that you no longer are able to do for yourself will do so in love, in gentleness, and with a caring spirit.
We hope you continue to generate good thought and feelings in your heart and mind and quickly dismiss those which are harmful and destructive to you. Pray daily even hourly if needed, for help, courage and hope!
I remember the honor of taking care of my Grandmother in our home. I feed her, bathed her and tried to help her keep her dignity in the process. It was an honor to take care of her, I loved her so much. Years later after I was married, my Grandmother was placed in a Nursing Home near my home. The kids and I would try to go by nearly every day to visit with her. I wanted to make sure the ladies that took care of her knew who she was and how important whe was to me and my family. I worried that they just saw her as another old lady to take care of.
This poem is something that I found later, but definitely would pass on to anyone that takes care of the Elderly! May we all give to our elderly parents, grandparents or even neighbors and friends ...the love, care and attention they deserve.
Read it, it is amazing!
Good Night dear friends!
.
See Me
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you look at me –
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice — “I do wish you’d try.”
Are you thinking, when you look at me –
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice — “I do wish you’d try.”
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, you’re looking at ME…
I’ll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, you’re looking at ME…
I’ll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another,
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.
Dreaming that soon now a lover she’ll meet;
A bride soon at twenty — my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn;
At fifty once more babies play ’round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Brothers and sisters, who love one another,
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.
Dreaming that soon now a lover she’ll meet;
A bride soon at twenty — my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn;
At fifty once more babies play ’round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known;
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel –
‘Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known;
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel –
‘Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where once I had a heart,
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
There is now a stone where once I had a heart,
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living life over again,
I think of the years, all too few — gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last –
So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses — see ME!
And I’m loving and living life over again,
I think of the years, all too few — gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last –
So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses — see ME!
This poem was found among the possessions of an elderly lady who died in the geriatric ward of a hospital. No information is available concerning her — who she was or when she died. Reprinted from the “Assessment and Alternatives Help Guide” prepared by the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care.
To read my whole lesson HERE:
To read my whole lesson HERE:
There’s a song in heavy rotation on the radio these days that goes something like this.
