“Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour…” Ecclesiastes 11:7-8a Message
When I arrived at the rehab center yesterday to visit with my dad he was asleep. I sat down and waited for him to wake up. He sleeps a lot during the day (when he is not doing therapy) because he has hard time sleeping at night. It’s too noisy out in the hallway he tells me and his roommate calls out for help all night long.
The staff comes to his aid but then the man continues to cry out again and again. I experienced a small taste of this routine when I visited my dad yesterday evening. I would have a difficult time sleeping through it too.
While I watched my dad rest, my grandma showed up. My brother had her transferred up to the same facility shortly after my dad had his stroke. Now, he can visit them both in one place instead of making the 80 mile drive to where she used to stay. I asked grandma if she wanted to go sit outside in the courtyard for a little bit while Dad slept. She agreed.
As I wheeled her down the hall, I had the same thought I regularly have…if I ever end up in a place like this, Lord, I would spend the majority of my waking hours outside in the sunshine.
Or, at least, I hope I would. I hope I wouldn’t settle for my dark room with the sterile walls. I hope I would still seek out the warm sunshine on my arms and cheek. I hope.
My dad and grandma are in a good facility but it still depresses me. It breaks my heart every time I see an elderly person slumped over sound asleep in their wheelchair. I want to take each one of them outside with me. I want them to feel the warm sun on their arms too.
Linking up with Shari for Legacy Leaver Thursday
Very moving! I worked with the elderly for 1 year. It was both a heart-wrenching and beautiful experience and I can relate. I pray your Dad and Grandma experience more sunshine in this challenging times. God bless you, Eileen for being such a down-to-earth inspiration.
Yes, heart-wrenching and beautiful. That explains it well.
So glad to have stumbled on this via you Joseph. I have a writing business idea that I’m working on that could take me into nursing homes. I want to learn to do transcription and offer the service of interview, and then transcribe the stories. What you describe is what scares me about the elder set – not just the nursing home scene, but the “old” scene. I could do it…am inclined to start with the young though. I enjoyed your post…you might enjoy my blog as well, our themes are similar – simple grace. Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Katherine. It nursing home scene can be heartbreaking and yet when you interact with the people who live there…there is an odd beauty too. It’s been amazing to hear some of the stories this week. Sometimes all the elderly want is someone to spend time with them. You’re service would offer needed light into their world.
I love this Eileen…
Praying for you and your fam.
Eileen, thanks for sharing these thoughts here. I think it’s a good reminder to visit facilities like this near our home to bring sunshine into the lives of the residents. It’s also good to model this for our children.
That’s a great point, Jon. Thank you!
HI Eileen – it is awesome that you can be there for your dad and grandmother. I pray for both that their health is restored.
Blessings
Tracy
Thanks, Tracy