SMALL TOWN

We have lived in this small town almost 20 years ago.  Previously, we lived in a town with a population of 900,000 people.  What is so wonderful about this town is that we are about twenty minutes from two large, active cities. 

Yesterday, we admitted “Marie”, ninety-one, to hospice.  Marie had been living independently until recently as she struggles with many of her daily activities.  Marie is a strong and very independent woman, but with her lung disease, she is becoming more short of breath with exertion.  

Marie has two daughters, who both live nearby.  They are now rotating while staying overnight with their mother.  Marie has seven adult grandchildren; who too; all live nearby.  Her grandchildren, along with her daughters, are with Marie during the day as well.  She is never left alone. 

We also admitted, “Doug”, ninety-two, to hospice today.  Doug lives on a ranch about two miles away from Marie.  He also has been in a recent decline.   He suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, but is still very alert with mild confusion.  He lives with his wife, who herself is frail, and unable to care for her husband.  The family has hired caregivers during the day.  Doug has three children; of which two live locally.  One of his daughters, “Carol”, moved into her parent’s home two years ago to help as well. 

Both families have lived in our small town for generations.  Doug lives on a walnut ranch, that he now leases out.  Marie and her family also lived on a walnut ranch in this small town, although Marie stated that they sold the ranch and moved into town fifteen years ago. 

So many similarities between these two families, but the biggest one of all was where Marie’s daughter and Doug’s son lived.  Both live only a few blocks from me.  These two families so represent the luxury and blessings of living in a small town.

SMALL TOWN 

 

We moved to this small town

almost twenty years ago.

The population sign then said 6,900.

Even with many more new homes,

               it still states that today.

 

We admitted her to hospice yesterday.

She is slowing down and no longer living alone.

Her two daughters rotate to care for her,

along with many other local family members.

 

We also admitted him to hospice yesterday.

He lives on a 28-acre ranch, two miles away from her.

His family too, all reside nearby.

They, like her supportive family, are rallying around.

 

Both patients are in their early nineties.

Both still able to walk with their walker.

Family is all nearby and supportive.

The beauty of living in a small town.

 

Her daughter and his son

both live about half a mile from me.

But most surprising and coincidentally of all,

the two live next-door to each other.

 

I am surprised I have never run into them before;

either in the grocery store or post office in town;

as families reside here for generations.

That, so wonderfully, can be the beauty

and comfort of living in

                              a small town.