Back in December, I wrote about how my Dad, Sister and I take care of an elderly Brother and Sister. Apple and I went and put up their Christmas Tree. J and Apple brought them some homemade cookies. And my Sister took it all down after New Year’s.
The care for them continues and each time my Sister decides to go on a little trip (she is almost 26 and has zero responsibilities), I fill in for her. Which means that I have to go once a day, make sure that the Sister, H, is up and at ’em ready for breakfast. G can get himself up and ready and then proceeds to make breakfast, lunch and supper all day long until it is time to retire again.
Usually, I leave Apple with my Mom, it makes it so much easier to help out when I am not chasing a two year old through a big house, but I had to bring her yesterday and today. Yesterday wasn’t a good day, H was a little confused and didn’t seem to know what was going on. And she kept wondering who Apple was and why was she bouncing every where. But, today, today was a good day. When Apple and I arrived, H was bright-eyed and raring to go. We talked about our swimming lessons this morning, which thrilled H to bits since she once was a Mermaid (Synchronized Swimming Club in Toronto) back in her day. She also taught swimming to high school students in addition to English.
Apple helped H with her clothes, shoes and walking stick, which really seemed to please H. And Apple well, she isn’t afraid of old people, which is great because next week H will turn 87. Apple was running and dancing all around H’s bedroom. Singing songs and telling her stories. Then, it was time for H to brush her hair. So, I sat down in a chair and put Apple on my lap. And then there was a moment. One of those moments when you realize that you love somebody. Here I was helping them (H&G) out. Just wanting to make sure that they can continue to live on their own as has always been their wish. And now I find myself loving these guys. As H was watching Apple and brushing her hair, I just broke my heart to think that she may not be with us for much longer. And then what would G do without his older Sister? I really am not sure how everything will play out. But, I do know that slowly and surely this Brother and Sister have made their way into my heart and it really breaks every time I have to think about the reality of the situation.
Time will tick on and we will continue to go and hang out with them (an expression H just doesn’t understand given that she was an English teacher, “What do you mean we will just hang out?” she asks me.) and make sure that they have what they need to continue on their own. And should the time come for one of them to move out of the house, I hope I have the strength to keep visiting, I have never been very good with nursing homes, but I have also never been very good at saying good-bye.
