SO WISE

Sixty-five-year-old, “Helena”, has been on dialysis for many years.  She would go three times each week without complaint.  Helena’s husband died at sixty-three a few years ago.  She has two sons and five grandchildren.  She teased while laughing, saying, “I have four granddaughters and one grandson, “Damion”.  

Helena is Spanish speaking primarily, although knows a small amount of English.  When I went to do the admission today, Damion, translated for his grandmother.  He amazed me with his questions as they were so valuable to what he wanted to distinctly know.  He was very realistic, just like his grandmother, but wanted to so strongly know why this was happening to her.  

There are just no answers to that question.  I told him that we all are logical beings and want a logical answer.  There just isn’t one.  I informed Damion that his grandmother wasn’t being punished.  It was nothing she has done. It is just so random.  

Like his grandmother, he is accepting of her fate, which likely is only a few weeks.  He just wants to know answers as to why this is happening.  I so just wish I had that answer.  Maybe we all need to be on the other side to really know all about it.

SO WISE

 

She was living her life just fine.

Her dialysis three times a week

never slowed her down.

She adjusted, accepted, and kept on going.

 

One week ago she was told,

“The dialysis is no longer working”.

As was advised, she knowingly stopped,

while totally accepting her fate.

 

She and her two sons are realistic,

knowing she may have just weeks.

Her nineteen-year-old grandson

so graciously became her caregiver.

 

He asked many appropriate questions.

“Why is this happening so fast?

One week ago, she was living her life.

Now, she needs a lot more help”.

 

He knows to call hospice and not 911;

while clearly understanding that her time is near.

When asked a question, he pauses and thinks deeply

with answers that a wise old soul would likely say.

 

When I asked him what helps him cope,

he lit up and proudly stated, “I box!”

He will continue to care for Grandma;

while finding valued time to box.

 

As after all,

               he is a very wise,

                                   old, teenage soul.