Role Reversal

We didn’t expect it to happen, but it did. My 91-year-old mother and I were on our way out to speak to a class about World War 2. We had plenty of time, I had the materials in hand, and we were leaving to get in the car when it happened. Mom’s ankle twisted, and she fell down two stairs onto cement.

Off to the ER

The class was canceled while we waited for Mom to recover enough to stand up. She was in agony. My husband and I helped her hobble to the car, and she and I were off to spend many hours at the Emergency Room: broken arm, broken ankle, and broken thumb. Not to mention copious bruising.

Help Needed

Thus began the role reversal. Me making her food, helping her dress, washing and brushing her hair, getting up several times a night, tucking her in, administering her medications, and worrying. So much worrying. She was concerned that it was all too much on me, but honestly, it was a privilege to be able to pay back even a tiny amount of what she’s done for me over the years.

Worries

Now, Mom is with one of my siblings. He has three other people in the home who can help. What am I doing? Worrying. Will they make her bed every time she gets up? Will they prepare her food as she likes? Will they remember that it needs to be cut up (only one hand)? I guess maybe Mom worried about me, too. So, payback? At least she doesn’t stay out past curfew!