Last summer was the first one to head into with a Mom who also loves to play piano. This is remarkable for many reasons, and perhaps it is best because not only does it give warm, enjoyable things to do all winter– but something beautiful to cap the day when we have been out all day, through Spring or Summer. Have I mentioned how happy her on the piano makes me? Because it does. This leaves me enough strength to get motivated to make lives like hers even better. It’s not impossible. But it involves those who love them and know them the most.
May 4, 2017
Today real sun finally arrived in Vancouver. Got to spend a couple of hours out walking in parks with Mom, and both of us voted in the provincial election. Walking from there home, I was (delightfully) drenched in sweat from walking with mom and her chair. Mom had a large bowl of some fresh berries, and has now happily accepted my request for a piano concert to write this by.
A very good day. One where the joy of looking forward to new things has been etched on my mothers’ face. I have spoken about places to get outdoors this summer for a few nights with her, and even possible other travel. No promises, but I can tell you all this: Even more than a pair of years removed from being able to make it on her own, Donna loves life and looks forward to more of it. She is not depressed, nor is she giving up on being human.
We can do so much more with our elders. The problems are real, but the soul never stops being real, and emotions about being loved, trusted, and wanting to live are always there.
If she wasn’t my mother, not only would I not be doing this, I would have no idea about how much people like this need us to get over our fear of their reminders of our own mortality. Humans are not dollar signs. They are pianists, teachers, outdoor enthusiasts and love their cats. We *must* do better.
Feeling love and so much respect for the woman making the apartment alight with music now. Dignity is not how we defined it, after all.