Well, friends, I've been retired for approximately 9 months, so it's time to "birth" something new! At least in my writing. I've enjoyed the rest from leaving 43 years of teaching behind, but now I'm enjoying opening new doors to see what's in store for my next chapter (sorry, as a retired librarian, I'm required by law to include that expression!). I feel like I'm playing "Let's Make a Deal" and see the doors and curtains, but am not sure they're all for me. Happily, though, God doesn't play the same game and I don't think He'd let me get the year's supply of olives!
However, this is not about my life changes, but about a transition of another kind. This week we moved my 94 year old mother into an assisted living facility. I know my sisters are saying "We? Really Sandy? You were in Florida and we're in Ohio doing the hard labor and tending to all the details that such a move involves". Ok, my wonderful, hard-working and dedicated sisters did the work! I maintained contact by text, phone calls, and prayers...with our brother also in the loop, but I wasn't able to get in on the adventure due to being needed at home with my husband. I'm sure there were several eye-rolls at my suggestions on what they needed or what chair should go where in a 400 square foot room, until I just let it go, knowing they had it handled. And thankfully, she was all settled into the cozy country facility in one day, happy as a clam. The move wasn't an overnight decision, but after almost monthly incidents in the past year, she agreed with my siblings that it was all for the best.
I know the smooth transition isn't always the way, as I learn from discussing it with my friends who have almost all had to deal with the same role-reversal as they age. But I'm thankful for the Lord's direction and confirmation about each step that we took. We'd thought about and discussed it for so long that it was a natural step we all were prepared for. Physically at least!
What I wasn't prepared for was the emotional toll it would take. As I reassured my mom in the days leading to the move, I encouraged her of how good it would be for her, peace of mind for us, security, etc. But there were many moments that I, over 1000 miles away, was the one that needed reassurance! Her move meant that I didn't have a "home" to come back to when I came for my semi-yearly visits. I wouldn't be waking up to share coffee in the kitchen with her and whoever else was staying there at the same time. My dad and a younger brother had passed away 7 years ago, but there were still enough reminders in the house that it was a visit with them, too. But that's gone now. She may have moved only 32 miles (several villages and one county) from her current home, but it seems like a million to me. Also, while she's still quite healthy and spunky, it's a step from independence that tells me she's really getting older! (yeah, Sandy, she's 94...when did you figure that out?) I guess that means I'm getting older, too, but that's another column! The Lord has blessed her with a wonderful life, and it's just continuing at another address.
I'll be going to Ohio to visit her in October for her birthday celebration. There will be my sisters and brother, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, which of course are her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and some great-greats! We'll have a family potluck in my niece's converted garage and enjoy honoring my mom. Then return her to her new cozy country home, while we all return to ours. It'll be strange to not get in our jammies and watch TCM late into the night with her, but I'll manage it, knowing that she's in a safe and secure setting. That capable and caring medical staff are just a button away. And that has to be enough.
So I pray that whatever transition you or your loved ones find themselves in at this time, that they find the way paved with secure steps, holding onto the Lord's hand to steady the way. It's the only way truly be grounded, my friends!
