Published: August 31, 2008 12:54 am            

My mother gives me 'warm feeling'

My Mother, Lorene Coker, has been a resident at Beverly Living Center for  four years. She is  90 years young and has Alzheimers but she still  has the ability  to  make me feel good. When she reaches out to touch my face and hand it feels as though she is my caregiver. There are many hot or cold rainy days that  I   would  like to  stay in my comfortable home but as soon as I  walk into her home I get a warm feeling. As soon as Mother sees me and says "I'm so glad to  see you" ... I feel good. The other residents speak and wave  and ask how I'm doing and what  have I  been doing, since yesterday. They are proud to see me. There is a small group who meet for "coffee time' everyday and they  allow me to be a part of  them. Talking about a Hen party! All the remembering of long ago days makes us laugh and sometimes cry. I  ask  Mother to  share some of  her childhood memories, sometimes she can, sometimes not. I've learned a lot of history over coffee. I've also learned that  the best gift you can give is your time. As everyone starts leaving in their wheelchairs and walkers they say: "see you  tomorrow." If for some reason I  fail to   show up, they  want to  know if I'm sick. Everyone likes to  be remembered. Mother always loved her family and The Lord and still does.

She taught my brother, Delbert and me to  love The Lord, "Do unto  others as you  would have them do unto you," and "always look for  the  good in everybody," and many  more. She's wondered why  The Lord leaves her here to sit in a wheelchair all day. Maybe it's to  make Delbert, her grandchildren and me feel good in her presence. I tell her that  it's Labor Day, Christmas, or whatever day  and it doesn't matter to  her as long as we're together, holding hands. When it's time for  me to leave she hugs and kisses me and I feel like I'm four again. As I walk toward the  front door I want to  cry but  I  hear —"see you  tomorrow," "don't do anything I  wouldn't" and I  have to  laugh. I go back for  one more hug from Mother. I leave feeling better than when I came. As I drive away I  wonder ... But one thing is certain: Mother loves me and makes me feel good.

 

Juanita Coker Temple 

Meridian                               

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.