Green Smiley Monday
It has been a busy and emotional week.
I have been doing resident satisfaction surveys at one of the nursing homes where I worked. My neighour Adriana is working with me this year. Her 100 year old mother was a resident at the home. This past week her mom became more frail and was having pain. Adriana spent most of her time with her mom - she needed to be there. As the week went on, Yola became weaker and it was apparent that she would not rally this time. On Friday evening, I stayed with Adriana until 11 pm. - she had a nurse come to stay with her mom for the night. Her mom was settled so we went home. On Saturday, she was a bit weaker. I took Adri a latte (from her favourite coffee shop) and we went to the atrium to enjoy our coffee. Her husband stayed with Yola. On Saturday night, the nurse came again and Adri went home. At around 11:30, her mom died. For Adriana it was a blessing. Adriana had wanted to be with her mom. I had told her that some people do not want to have their family present when they transition. Fortunately, we live near the nursing home so she was able to get there quickly - her mother was still warm. She was able to say good bye with no regrets. Adriana has been a devoted daughter - visiting daily, having pasta dinner for her mom every Sunday and entertaining her mom and her friends almost weekly.
Since it is a holiday today (Remembrance Day), I am off. I am getting wimpy so I honor the soldiers who never came home by watching the service on TV. I am not sure whether having a day off is a great idea. People just use the time for shopping etc.
So, it is not exactly green smiley but I am at peace and trying to walk daily even in the cold and snow. Our other neighbours and I walked to the Buddhist service yesterday morning. It isn't far but I live on the hill so I have to climb the hill to get home! The sensei talked about how Buddhists feel about war. They are non violent and do not believe in fighting. However they honor those who geve their lives, or came home debilitated. I hate fighting and wars.
Lisa - I miss you. You did come to visit briefly in my dream. We were going to do last minute shopping for Christmas. I woke feeling comfortable. i miss you always and love you forever, Mummy
I have been doing resident satisfaction surveys at one of the nursing homes where I worked. My neighour Adriana is working with me this year. Her 100 year old mother was a resident at the home. This past week her mom became more frail and was having pain. Adriana spent most of her time with her mom - she needed to be there. As the week went on, Yola became weaker and it was apparent that she would not rally this time. On Friday evening, I stayed with Adriana until 11 pm. - she had a nurse come to stay with her mom for the night. Her mom was settled so we went home. On Saturday, she was a bit weaker. I took Adri a latte (from her favourite coffee shop) and we went to the atrium to enjoy our coffee. Her husband stayed with Yola. On Saturday night, the nurse came again and Adri went home. At around 11:30, her mom died. For Adriana it was a blessing. Adriana had wanted to be with her mom. I had told her that some people do not want to have their family present when they transition. Fortunately, we live near the nursing home so she was able to get there quickly - her mother was still warm. She was able to say good bye with no regrets. Adriana has been a devoted daughter - visiting daily, having pasta dinner for her mom every Sunday and entertaining her mom and her friends almost weekly.
Since it is a holiday today (Remembrance Day), I am off. I am getting wimpy so I honor the soldiers who never came home by watching the service on TV. I am not sure whether having a day off is a great idea. People just use the time for shopping etc.
So, it is not exactly green smiley but I am at peace and trying to walk daily even in the cold and snow. Our other neighbours and I walked to the Buddhist service yesterday morning. It isn't far but I live on the hill so I have to climb the hill to get home! The sensei talked about how Buddhists feel about war. They are non violent and do not believe in fighting. However they honor those who geve their lives, or came home debilitated. I hate fighting and wars.
Lisa - I miss you. You did come to visit briefly in my dream. We were going to do last minute shopping for Christmas. I woke feeling comfortable. i miss you always and love you forever, Mummy
Replies
Prayers for your friend and her family....
Marlene you are a blessing to so many people.
I hate fighting and wars also. But my husband is a military man, 20 years in the military.
Hugs,
Terry
Marlene what a dear friend you are to Adriana. You no doubt are helping her get through this difficult time.
Hey.good for you that you are walking everyday. You go girl!!
I hope you have many more dreams of Lisa that bring you comfort.
Loving hugsVicki
So much was accomplished. I\'m proud of you with all you have had to overcome.
Gentle ((hugs)) shared.
My thoughts are with your friend and her family. She (and they) are so blessed to have you in their lives. Your kind gentle spirit will lend a very needed helping hand, I am sure, because the let down of not needing to tend to her mother will be one of time and grief.
You are a good friend, I feel your calmness even in your written words.
hugs,
Merrilee
You are a loving companion dearest Marlene and being able to let Adri know that many decide to transition without their loved ones being present is a gift. My late mom did this as well and I explained beforehand to my sister that I had such a strong sense that is how she would do it and she did. Always so very hard to lose a beloved parent so my heart goes out to her.
Lovely to have that dream of your Lisa and to awaken feeling comfortable.
Loving care dear Marlene and I am reading Tara Brach\'s Radical Acceptance a book that Gari recommended and really enjoying it. Tara is a practicing Buddhist. I adore learning about all faith traditions and the Buddhist way of non violence and respect for all of creation is so inviting.
XO Joanie
Greetings, Marlene. What a wonderful friend you are to others. I worked today on what we call Veteran\'s Day and it was busy! Everyone else off work LOL. Love you.
Peace.
LIsa gave you a \"pre-Christmas\" gifta dream visit! :-) Love, Donna
Oh, how sweet!! Such devotion, from the daughter to her mother. She was a lucky woman, to have such a daughter.
I am proud of you, for the walking. I wish i could make myself do something...anything...in the way of exercise. Long sigh....
I know absolutely nothing about the Buddhist religion. It sounds very interesting...
((((HUGS))))....Julia
Hugs, angela