Creating Special Times…

Colin and I have had some wonderful days together! Jennifer and the other 3 children have been practicing feverishly for a local production of Peter Pan. Their practice schedules have demanded every evening for the past 2 weeks, and most of this entire past weekend. During this time, Colin and I have had lots of opportunities to “hang-out.” We’ve been to the park, been bike riding, walked the puppy a lot, drive past the airport to watch the planes land, eaten at all the fun joints like Tully’s, Applebees, Dunkin Donuts, etc. But this afternoon, after we dropped the family off for practice, we just drove around, and we talked about what to go see. After we swang by the airport to view a touch-and-go, the thought occurred to me that we haven’t seen “Trishie” in a while. Great Aunt Trish is in the nursing home and is doing her best attempt at rehab. I realized that Colin hadn’t seen her since Christmas and that he has never been in a nursing home. I nearly drove home, knowing that nursing homes can be scary places for young people. But I decided that maybe HE should make that decision instead of me. So we drove to the Village Green where Trishie is staying. When we first walked in, Colin was startled by the gaggle of elderly ladies in wheelchairs, squealing at the sight of a new youngling on their premises. But we just waved, said “hello” and walked toward Trishie’s room. Trish was so delighted to see us that she, too, squealed. Colin ran up and gave her a hug and immediately started sharing his Burger King french fries. (he must REALLY love her!) Colin explored all of the drawers and closets while Trishie and I talked. We had a fine visit, and Colin remarked on the way out, “can we come back again sometime, dad?”

All of this taught me a lesson: that I should not pre-decide which experiences my children will or will not like! Let them experience them and decide on their own. I have forever been told stories of when I was a child, my parents would take me on church visitations to nursing homes, and they would evidently stand me up on the end of the bed of various and sundry patients and belt out the song, “Jesus Is All The World To Me.” So, I was obviously not harmed by these experiences, nor should I expect that my children will somehow be scarred. We had a great evening together, and we decided on the way home that we needed a donut!

Cherish the time that you have with your elderly loved ones! Get their stories! They have so much locked up inside their minds. Try this out for a way to get started… http://www.thenewhomemaker.com/scrapbookingfamilyhistory

There are some great “prompts” to get you started asking questions of your loved ones and jotting down their replies while we still have them with us! All of those quirky things that they say at Christmas Dinner will someday be silenced and we’ll wish that we could remember them.

~ by ByTheBlood on April 9, 2008.