LIVING HER LIFE

“Rosemary”, ninety-five, was admitted to hospice today.  When I first heard about her yesterday, I had this strong need to meet her.  Being alert and oriented, living alone and still managing her needs, I knew she was someone who lived their life fully.  I so admire folks who don’t see challenges in life as something one cannot overcome.  Some folks just continue to move forward.  This is, so strongly, what I so admire. 

When the nurse and I walked into her family room, she was sitting on her couch.  She welcomed us in so graciously pointing to the chairs for us to sit down.  Rosemary spent last night in the hospital after a fall in her kitchen the day before.  She is becoming weaker as is eating so little.  She shared that food makes her feel nauseas.  Her doctor feels that her body is just wearing down. 

Rosemary accepts this as she has accepted things her entire life.  With good or bad, she is very practical and accepting.  Rosemary was born in this small town in the country.  When she was small, the population was only 2,000; now it is 5,000.  She shared so many wonderful stories about her life in this small town.  She made me laugh as her humor was very dry.  When I asked her if she would like our hospice chaplain to visit for spiritual support, she said yes, but then added with a small grin, “I’ve listened to enough preachers over my life.” 

Rosemary did not look her age..  She had such a young heart and view about life; practical and real.  I hope to be just like her if I make it to ninety-five.  “Way to go, Rosemary!!!!” 

LIVING HER LIFE

We often can have expectations about another

based solely on how old they are in age.

She is ninety-five; alert and oriented; living alone.

Hearing that, I so strongly just wanted to meet her.

 

She’s been in a slow, recent decline.

Her body is just tiring out.

She is becoming weak, not wanting to eat.

Now needing full time care.

 

She has a practical philosophy about life.

You see it in how she is living her life.

She accepts, with no apprehensions, her past;

                  no worries about her future.

 

She has attended her local church for ninety years,

with Christian beliefs coated in practicality.

“I don’t know what afterlife is all about.

If you have faith, you believe what you are taught;

                  but then….one never knows.”

 

She told amazing stories about her life.

Many touched my heart so deeply.

For years she was a Fourth-Grade teacher.

“I taught in the same school I attended.”

                  “I knew everyone in town!”

 

She totally accepts her life as it is.

She calmly, without emotion, shared stories.

“Governor Pat Brown was my cousin.”

Moments later, her telephone rang.

It was her second cousin checking in;

                  Governor Jerry Brown.

 

Each day, she lives her life to the fullest.

She accepts each day as it turns out.

I movingly told her, ‘You are my hero.

Living your life purely with no remorse;

                  Your way.”