"Lunch comes on a tray"
For the last five years I have been on a journey with my mother. Neither one of us is 'in charge', calling the shots, or setting the itinerary. Neither one of us has ever visited here before. 'Here' is the land of dementia, and the frail elderly. It is not a place you would choose to go. But if you live well into your 80's, and start to approach 90, there is a good chance you will encounter an episode of poor health. One thing leads to another and you loose your independence. Still life goes on...
My mother like most vital people, dreaded this, denied it could happen to her. But it did. As an only child, I have been with her for each faltering step, each level of increased care. There have been surprises good and bad. One of the good surprises involves drawing. I have always kept a sketch book, attended weekly life drawing classes... a nursing home is a wonderful, powerful, place to draw.
7 comments:
This work both the pictures and text are really touching. These two pictures show a woman still full of charachter. Beautiful.
I am truly moved by your words and your works!
Again this reminds me of my mom. I only wish I had been drawing at the time, and I would have probably stayed much longer on my visits.
Julie, your drawings and words are just beautiful. This one is my favorite--it really captures the questioning, uncertainty, and accepetance that comes with age. I'll look forward to seeing more. Welcome to EDM!
Julie, I love your drawings and your words. I was also raised an only child (although as it turns out I was not) and my mother is beginning that road your mom is on now. She has had a couple of stays in a nursing home that were so difficult on us both. I look at all of that in a new light now thanks to your insights. I see you are from SLO - beautiful place - lots to draw there. I visited there several times and made wonderful friends. Cindi
Julie, I love your drawings and your words. I was also raised an only child (although as it turns out I was not) and my mother is beginning that road your mom is on now. She has had a couple of stays in a nursing home that were so difficult on us both. I look at all of that in a new light now thanks to your insights. I see you are from SLO - beautiful place - lots to draw there. I visited there several times and made wonderful friends. Cindi
Hello
I have my Mother in a nursing home too. She has been there 5 months. I love your sketches and story.
I have started a new website
http://www.nursinghomediaries.com
and would love to have permission to post your work on a page about your Mother. I would of course give you full credit and allow you to add any other information you might want to add. You page is a beatiful tribute to your Mom.
I think telling people's stories about their stay in a nursing home will help others to know what to expect. I am going to have a discussion group and a place for people to post their blogs or diaries. I have several large websites and decided this would be a good idea since I am now in the "Nursing Home Experience"
Please email me if you would like to have me post your story.
pwalter @ sixdogstudio.com (leave out the space on either side of the @)
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