An everyday lesson in gratitude

This won’t be the typical Thanksgiving column. Yet it is about being thankful. As mom approaches her 93 birthday, I am grateful to see her every day. To wake her up, to kiss her and even to give her a bath. Somedays are a challenge as evidenced by the “bath time stories with mom” on my FB page.  Mom gets a kick out of people’s comments about the adventure of her bath times. The following is a good reminder to caretakers of the elderly or of  someone who has diminished physical or mental capacity. It was originally written in Spanish by Guillermo Pena.
“My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”. Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little, and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.
“When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?
“When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way ... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.
“If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient, or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.
“And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love, I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you ... my darling daughter.