My mother is 90 years old and does not stop - too often. Yes her body tells her at times that she needs to slow down, but she still keeps plugging onward doing things she feels like doing!!! She will dust, sweep, mop, do laundry, light cleaning, cook, and many other things she has always done since setting up house and raising her family.
There are many times we think she should slow down, but then why shouldn't she do "light" work if she chooses too?? This is what keeps her going. She is not ready to sit in a rocking chair with an afghan over her and rock from daylight till dark.
Her eyesight is preventing her from doing many things she has enjoyed doing the past 90 years, but she still is able to do many things she enjoys. She loves being involved and helping out any way she can. It wears her out, but oh how she loves being where the action is!
Yesterday, I decided to plant her flowers and clean up a little around her back yard. SHE decided she was going to help. I told her she didn't have to, but she insisted she wanted to. She wanted to be there with me doing what she has done many times before in years past. I went ahead and did what I was planning on doing all the while keeping an eye on Mom. I did not want her to overdo it! She emptied old flower pots; raked up leaves, stems, etc around the steps; she even swept up what she had raked up and put it in the trash!!! Then she decided to water her flowers. She took her time and did not overdo it.
She said it felt good working outside. Mom has worked hard all her adult life. She helped Dad recover from his injuries he received during WWII; raised four "wonderful" children :); and helped take care of many relatives who needed the care. She would cook for as many as twenty people who would come to our house to visit my grandparents as they lived in the house behind us. She doesn't know what rest means!!!!!
She doesn't understand (and neither do I) when we hear so many people say "I am tired" and they haven't done anything!!!! By anything I mean - no physical labor!!!! I have done my share of physical labor - working in the garden, canning, mowing the yard, and house work - plus working at school all day. Yep - I think I know what tired means! Mom most definitely does.
We try to keep Mom involved and active. We do not want her to feel she is not being productive and helpful. If she wants to do "some" work, we just let her go. However, we have placed some stipulations on what she "can" do!!! - there is to be NO CLIMBING to clean windows, curtain, or walls!!!!!!
I took pictures of her as she worked away in the yard - she had no idea I was snapping away until the last picture I've placed on this post.
I hope we all will be able NOT to let AGE get in our way as we get older!
Emptying a flower pot!
Raking up some debris!
Ready to scoop up her little pile!
Watering her plants!
Showing off her work gloves!!!!
Notice the long sleeve shirt??? It was in the 80's and she was comfortable - I was sweating! :)
I love my mother and her willingness to never stop doing what she enjoys, and knowing when it's time to take a break!
No comments:
Post a Comment