I saw one of those shared and re-shared things on Facebook yesterday and it struck me. It’s a from mother to daughter thing with an accompanying photo of an elderly woman with a younger woman in a touching embrace…
“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 occasionaly 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.”
Yes this is mom to daughter, not mom to son, but this is something I need to work on as a man – Helping my Mom while being patient and less critical. I scoff at motivational quotes and posters, mostly because hard work is something I had no choice but to embrace. A poster of a bald eagle isn’t going to remind me to work any harder – my parents raised me better than that. I need to work hard on making my Mom’s life a little better. Don’t get me wrong, Mom is doing great. I’ve run marathons to help people fighting cancer, but I’d be a fool if I didn’t make sure that I bring that same dedication and fight to help the most important people in my life.
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– I haven’t read the book, but this was a great story. Great performances, highly recommended.
