Roger's 90 year old mother is in the hospital. Not always lucid, not always thoughtful. The world is slipping out of her hands. We can't restore it. The past few days we've spent many hours in emergency rooms and hospital rooms. Roger wears a blue mask so he won't be exposed to her pneumonia coughing, and a green glove so he can hold her hand. I talk quietly to her, trying to remind her of everything that is true in the moment. (UPDATE: Roger's mom is responding to the antibiotics and is feeling considerably better. She is going to be moved to a nursing home some time on Monday or Tuesday. A sigh of relief, but a reminder of what is only a matter of time.)In two consecutive days two female purple finches crashed into our dining room window. The spring light has changed everything. I held their tiny bodies in my hands, placed them in the darkness of a cardboard box while they came to their senses. After a short while, they both flew out with renewed vigor toward the endless blue sky. I choose to believe that they lived.
The wood ducks have four ponds to find food in our little neighborhood. They come to our pond several times a day. Lately I've been putting out some cracked corn and sunflower seeds for them. It's both encouragement and gratitude.
Not sure why the Wood Ducks and Wood Duck boxes are such a comfort, but they are. Thinking of you two and Roger's mother and everything that is true in the moment.
ReplyDeleteIn the moment: a beautiful thought
ReplyDeletefor a difficult time. And there is some comfort in the steady path of the wild creatures, as unstoppable nature keeps its pace.
My thoughts are also with you both.
in the moment: the only way you can be with Roger's mom. I know how difficult this must be - and you are an angel for being there.
ReplyDeleteGood job on saving the birdies - a sweet kindness to help give them the best chance they've got. You've got a big heart, Robin.
Love and peace to you, Roger, and mom.
I am sorry to hear about Roger's mother. A friend of mine here is going through the same thing. Her mother is at home, with Hospice administering meds and morphine. It won't be long. I pray that both of them will go in peace and pain-free.
ReplyDeleteSo many hospitals and illnesses lately. I suppose that much of that is a function of the stage of our lives that we were in. Ah, for the invulnerability of youth. Thank goodness for birds that can fly away after crashing into windows.
ReplyDelete"In the moment" Wise words for all of us. I'll keep you both in my thoughts as you face yet another obstacle.
ReplyDeleteI know this time is hard for you both. You and Roger are in my thoughts in this difficult time when just being there is the only comfort left.
ReplyDeletethinking of the two of you, the birds around you, and roger's mom. glad she is responding to the antibiotics; that should make her more comfortable, anyway.
ReplyDeletexoxo
(((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteLove to you all.
ReplyDeleteLife is all just a matter of time we all need to have reminder of this from time to time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely site I've stumbled into here. Love the writing, love the photos.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Patricia Lichen
www.patriciaklichen.com
You do such a lovely job of conveying the balance between mortality and life.
ReplyDeleteWhenever someone asks me that question about "where would you go if you had a time machine" my answer for years has been "nowhere without antibiotics"!
ReplyDeleteGlad they are doing their work!
Glad to see some greening in your photos as well...winter has held on far too long!
alan
Whenever someone asks me that question about "where would you go if you had a time machine" my answer for years has been "nowhere without antibiotics"!
ReplyDeleteGlad they are doing their work!
Glad to see some greening in your photos as well...winter has held on far too long!
alan
The woodies are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you two and Roger's Mom.
In the moment.
LOvely post and wonderful photos! I found a goldfinch on the ground outside my back door, hit my window but it didn't revive or I didn't get it long enough - thought it was dead!
ReplyDeleteI also stumbled here from Patricia's blog!
Followed Pat Lichen's blog to you. Thanks so much for your sharing your thoughtful and loving approach to being there with Roger's mom. I know how hard it is (my mom has Alzheimers) to watch the vital people we love fade away. I am so happy to here that she is doing well.
ReplyDelete