I have been out of work for a while. So I decided to make my time worth while. I have two aunts in their 80s, So I made it a part of my weekly routine to visit.Every Tuesday morning I would visit my aunt in Lawrence at the nursing home. Afternoon I would visit my aunt in Methuen at her daughters house. Last week I finally got a job and those Tuesday visits were not possible. So I called my aunts to let them know I was unable to visit. I felt very bad, I loved visiting them they made me smile, it was a wonderful experience getting to know them again.
On Friday after work I had this uncontrollable urge and a sense of urgency to visit with her. It was late afternoon and my boys came with me. We got to the nursing home on Friday afternoon her son, her granddaughter, and her great granddaughters where there visiting from California.She was very talkative and happy to see everyone.
Oxygen was a part of her daily life,so when she began wheezing a bit with her oxygen on I knew this was not a good sign.She looked tired and pale.I began to think about what was to come. I felt good about our visit but I didn’t feel confident about seeing her next week.
On Monday morning I received a call from my sister. I knew this was not good. My Aunt Sue had passed away.I was not surprised but I was very sad.
While attending the funeral, all I could do to keep myself from crying was this.I pictured my aunt around a gigantic table surrounded by her family members that had passed welcoming her and celebrating her entrance into heaven.
Attending the dinner was my mom,grandpa,grandma,uncle Bill,her husband Al,my god parents and all the other relatives who left this world. She was laughing so hard and her smile was big and bright something I hadn’t seen in years.The table was long covered with the longest white table cloth I ever seen. She was dressed in a colorful flowered sequence blouse, big earrings, and so much bright costume jewelry it lit up the room. She was sitting next to my mom catching up and talking about me,my sisters,brothers,and all her grandchildren she never met. It was a wonderful vision to soothe my sorrowed heart.
I did feel sad but I had no guilt or regrets about her death. I was her sunshine every week with my visits as she was mine through my whole life.I felt so honored to have the opportunity to see her on a weekly basis.
So Suzie say hi to my mom for me and tell her we all miss her and love her with all our hearts.
Take the time today to visit a relative that is aging. If you can make it a weekly experience do it.Because when their time comes you will feel sad but you will have no regrets or guilt. Take time to appreciate them and their lives.It is a small sacrifice to make for a smile and to celebrate them.Have a nice day.