5.10.2012

A Great Place to Be

I was honored this week to be featured on the writer's forum

It's a very nice site, looking for true, inspirational pieces.  I submitted a reflection about my elderly parents and their transition to an assisted living facility.  I often write about my parents, as they are a big part of my life.  One thing I've discovered in helping my folks is that, despite their decline, there is still love, and laughter, to be shared.

I hope you enjoy my story (just click the link above.)  Thanks to Tracey and the team at A Great Place for wanting to feature my work!




17 comments:

Dana said...

Congrats! :)

betty said...

That was a great story to read; I had to laugh about the teeth in the bra, LOL. It is hard with that transition into assisted living; I'm glad it is continuing to work out and you all have decided to embrace the blessings rather than look at the negatives. I talk about it a lot because it is still so fresh in my mind and impacted so much of our last year and a half, but hubby's parents went into assisted living June 2010. I would like to think they saw the positives about it and the blessings, but I think they saw it as defeat. One can only learn though to not repeat in one's own life. If faced with assisted living down the road of my life, I'm going to try to consider it a blessing indeed!

betty

Lynn Proctor said...

yes you have to find the joy in life or we would all just give up--what a wonderful post and i am so happy that there is still so much laughter

Gina Gao said...

This is a wonderful story to read.

www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

Petra said...

Heart-warming! What a huge blessing to have both in such a great facility - to have them both together, which is not always possible. So glad to know that laughter is a big part of their day and that nice people play one-corner bingo so that all could win. As for the lady with the dentures. I have a partial and can say that food tastes much better without it. I might just be her one day. :-D

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your feature article in the Writer's Forum. Mom's love for writing lives on in her daughter. And of course we are the beneficiaries!

Brenda said...

What a great article, Mare! Had me giggling. You gave me a visual of the lady with both legs in one leg of her pants.
I know my husband and I are getting real close to that time with our parents, especially his mom. She is doing very well considering she's on oxygen, but otherwise healthy. Enjoys going to lunch with the rat-pack (her and 2 other ladies) several times a week.
Would you be open to me emailing you with some questions/concerns I have?

Unknown said...

What a genuine and loving picture of living life and how you all do that with love, respect and a good dose of humor. Beautifully written Mare!

Mari said...

Hi Mare! I was sent to your blog by Brenda, who I see commented above. I checked out your guest post and really enjoyed it. It's familiar to me because I'm a nurse at a long term care facility, and though our residents are in worse condition physically and/or mentally what you said rings true for us as well. Yes, it's hard to see the decline but there is still joy present!
I'm including a link to a recent post I did of life at my place because I think you may relate a bit.

http://marislittlecorner.blogspot.com/2012/04/life-at-nursing-home.html

Jaime said...

This is a wonderful reflection. Beautifully written, authentic & funny.

Brianna said...

So funny and well-written! The use of dialogue is perfect!
I literally laughed out loud when I read -
"I'm telling you, if you can't win 'one corner', Bingo's not your game."
:D

Thank you for introducing me to A Great Place. I'm always looking for places to share my writings about Alzheimer's. Perhaps A Great Place would be, well, a great place!

Francene Stanley said...

One thig we can all learn through connection with our parents is each person remains the same inside. It's only the body which ages.

Michael Ann said...

I loved this!! Such a poignant topic and so well-written. It's a serious topic and you made it funny and enjoyable to read, but still made us think about it....

I'm so glad you found such a nice place for your parents. And I agree, it's wonderful to know that there are people who enjoy working with and spending time with the elderly on a daily basis.

I used to teach preschool and people would say, "How do you do that?" It's interesting to me how we all have our niche. That's how the world works...

Anyhow... still thinking of the woman with both legs in one pant leg!

Marie said...

This is a wonderful story! The teeth and the bra story is so funny! I'm so happy for you all. Have a beautiful Mother's Day!

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Congrats! It is always nice to our writing appreciated and even better when it is used of God in some way to inspire, encourage or touch another. - Barbara
Life & Faith in Caneyhead

netablogs said...

I loved that story! I think about assisted living facilities now and then, and honestly, really hope I don't need to end up in one. But your parents seem really content there now. My parents are in their 70's and still live independently, but I know things can change so quickly.
I loved the humor in your piece. Laughter is such good medicine!

Ruth said...

My grandpa hated his teeth. Ate better without them. I wonder if my grandma would have also. It always took her an hour to eat a meal.
Thanks for the follow. I am following you back.