About 10 years ago my mother had to go to the emergency room. All they saw was a sick old woman, who looked like she was at death’s door.
She had only been in the ER about 30 minutes when I arrived and was met by a doctor just outside where she was being worked on—tubes being inserted, etc.—and he started talking about pulling the plug. I loudly and adamantly informed him that I didn’t want to talk about pulling the plug as she had only been there for a short time and anyway, she would walk out of there.
Side note: My mother later told me she heard everything that was said and my comment that she would “walk out of there” was very powerful.
She lived another 10 years or so and what was her contribution to society during those years?
She became a foster mother for her 7-year-old granddaughter for about six months. She gave love, guidance, wisdom and devotion to her five children for those years. She played the organ every Sunday at her church Sunday School for those years.
She gave a home to two of her grown but slightly off-balance children for those years. She cooked for them, too. She gave me the opportunity to care for her and look after her for those years. She painted my bathroom, she gave and received gifts, she shopped, she annoyed me sometimes, she made me laugh, she made me think for those years. She kept her roses blooming so I guess she brought beauty into the world during those years. She was a magnificent grandmother for those years.
I don’t know if the powers that be would think her life for those last 10 years was a waste of resources, but it certainly wasn’t to her family.
You were blessed with her, as she was with you. It is my firm belief that we must be advocates for our loved ones when they are most helpless. Relying on the goodness of others can be a grave mistake.
What a beautiful story, thanks for sharing. Bless both her soul and yours. Life is a treasure and we never know what gifts we may give to others.