SAVINGS

Sixty-six year old “Yvonne”, suffered from lung cancer that had spread to her bones. She was on hospice for only a few weeks as her decline was rather swift. Yvonne lived with her husband, “Joseph”. They had one son, “Jason”, who was twenty-five. Jason was studying medicine at Ohio State University. One could instantly see how proud she was of him, as her face would light up when speaking about him.

Yvonne was also so proud of being married to Joseph. She would always say how lucky she was to have such an attentive husband. Joseph was a high school math instructor and was off for the summer so he was available to care for Yvonne during her rapid decline. The two were devoted to each other. Joseph was so aware of Yvonne’s needs before she even was aware herself.

Jason flew home to say goodbye to his mother. He knew this would be the last time he likely would see her. I made a visit and was able to meet Jason and give support to the entire family. We talked about how difficult it is to say goodbye. How can one condense twenty-five years of having such a wonderful mother in one five day visit?

During Jason’s visit, Yvonne didn’t speak much as she slept most of the time. Due to weakness, her voice was very soft. Jason, like most college students, didn’t have much money to spend on extras. Over the course of twenty years, Yvonne would hide any extra cash she had all over the home. She would put it in pockets of clothes or in the back of drawers and closets. It was amazing that she was able to remember all her secret hiding spots.

The day before Jason had to return to school, Yvonne directed Joseph and Jason all around the home. The money was for Jason so he would have extra cash while in school. With every dollar hidden, Yvonne was giving love back to her family in a way she knew would make a difference. She never saw what a beautiful person she was, but always appreciated her husband and son. She was the most amazing one of all. Yvonne died three days later and I know she was at peace knowing her son would be okay. A mother’s final gift to her family.


SAVINGS

　
Her family was her primary focus.
Proud and lucky were words that she used.
Her husband so attentive;
          her son studying hard.

She never put herself first.
Her focus, always on them.
Keeping the house up for her husband;
enlightening her son the value of school.

She secretly hoarded money away.
For years, she hid cash all over their home.
Extra dollars hidden deep in the closet;
an old coat pocket stuffed with spare change.

Her son took a break from his studies.
He flew home to tell his mother goodbye.
He knew this was the last time he’d see her
as her disease was nearing the end.

She could hardly speak any longer,
but she had something important to share.
She directed them all over the house
to look in old boxes; to search dresser drawers.

They were dumbfounded; amazed
as money was stuffed everywhere they looked.
Her one final gift to her family so proud;
more than twenty thousand dollars
          no one ever knew that was there.