HIS MOTHER

The hospice nurse and I went out to admit, “Opal”, ninety-four, to hospice.  Opal suffers from kidney and heart disease.  She has been in a recent decline to where she is weaker and needing more assistance with her daily needs.  She has no appetite and is eating very little.  She has lost almost fifty pounds these past two months. 

Opal lives with her son, “Jackson”.  Jackson is her primary caregiver.  Jackson’s sister, “Elizabeth” has come from the Midwest to stay with her brother and mother for the duration.  Jackson and Elizabeth are very devoted to their mother and to each other.  Both are realistic regarding their mother’s terminal prognosis and decline.  Jackson and Elizabeth use a lot of humor to cope, but it is their strong Christian faith which helps all three of them. 

Jackson immediately welcomed us into his home.  He has such a positive outlook about life.  Yes, Jackson is sad about losing his mom, but he focuses on what he can do to help her.  That is what gives him joy.  Mom is having some difficulty swallowing and is eating a soft diet.  Jackson proudly showed the hospice nurse and I all of the protein drinks and flavored water he has purchased for his mother.  

Jackson’s father died when he was thirteen.  Jackson was holding a six-foot ladder while his father was standing on it doing work on their home’s roof.  Every time his father moved, so did the ladder.  Jackson kept telling his father to be careful.  At one point his father moved a bit too far and fell off the ladder and broke his leg.  It was then that Jackson said that we both knew he would not survive this fall.  An amazing insight for a young teenager.  

No matter what comes Jackson’s way, he will see it so spiritually and beautifully.  He feels God’s love through his faith and embraces that love.  Jackson will always put other first as it fills his cup so gracefully.  But for now, his focus and care will be on caring for his mother.  Jackson, I am so proud to have met you.  It has been an honor.  Thank you.

HIS MOTHER

The moment I first met him,

Somehow, I distinctively knew.

His huge heart embraced us all.

His focus totally on his Mother.

 

He spoke about her recent decline.

How he knows it won’t be long.

He wants to make sure she is comfortable.

He’ll lovingly do what needs to be done.

 

His father died when he was thirteen.

He fell off a ladder and broke his leg.

He told his son to take care of his mother.

To take care of his brothers and sisters too.

 

Somehow, they both knew

it would be the last time they would speak.

His father died a few days later.

A blood clot going to his heart.

 

He is the eleventh child of the twelve,

but he is the wisest of them all.

He lovingly takes care of his family

counting his blessings as he goes.

 

At the end of our visit, he told us more.

“I have bone cancer that has spread.

No current treatment because of the virus.

It’s okay as Mom now needs me first.”

 

He is amazing; so full of grace.

I truly know, and so deeply believe,

that he is one very special;

         one very sacred;

                       divine Angel.