My Grandma loved to wash. The woman was nuts about it. The day finally came when her arthritis no longer allowed her to wash. It caused her too much pain. She couldn’t grip things like she once did. She couldn’t lift things like before. She actually mourned the day when she could no longer wash. She actually wanted to wash the dishes, wash the windows, and wash herself. When I was younger I thought the woman was crazy. Why would anyone mourn having someone else do all that work for her? Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand wanting to wash myself. Having some random health aide come in and wash my ass and lady parts would just be too mortifying even though I am sure I would appreciate the help if I needed it.
Because of that I wash and try to appreciate being able to accomplish the task myself because someday there may come a time when I will no longer be able to and then I will wish I could.
Your Grandmom sounds so much like my Mom, Kathy. My Mom had a stroke while she was on the toilet! She somehow managed to pull herself up - wash herself and then proceed to call for help! :(
ReplyDeleteCorinne, your mom sounds like she was determined bless her heart. When my dad had his stroke he was unable to even move. I finally found him though and got him to the hospital. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!
DeleteThe most mundane things can become so important when we can no longer do them.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Rob-bear, amazing isn't it? Which goes to prove how thankful we should be for the little things. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteJust finished washing my clothes...
ReplyDeleteEvalinaMaria, I always have a load of laundry to do or fold. Thank you for stopping in and for your comments! ♥
DeleteI write this as two baskets of laundry that needs to be folded stare at me...yes, all that washing gave your Grandma self worth and probably gave her that good feeling of being productive. I say that because my mom loves to come over and wash and fold all my clothes. it makes her feel good about herself as she lives alone now and is retired. I'm sorry about her arthritis! :(
ReplyDeleteBeachlover, I realize it now but wish I would have understood her preoccupation and depression about not being able to then in her lifetime. It gave her something to do. Once she didn't do that there wasn't much else left to do. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteYour grandma is like my mum, she's 87 disabled and still cleans and washes for my lazy brother and helps him run a hotel.
ReplyDelete#atozchallenge
maggie at expat brazil
Maggie, keeping busy and active is what gives life purpose and keeps us young. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments!♥
DeleteI like the way you ended your post "I wash and try to appreciate being able to accomplish the task myself" - something to think about.
ReplyDeleteSuzy, it surely is. When you are young you just can't hardly comprehend the day when you can't do something as easy as wash dishes. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteI think doing the things we like to do with passion applies to other things outside of washing as well, such as writing.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I agree! Thank you for stopping in and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteI hate washing the dishes. I've only had a dishwasher for 6 years of my adult-on-my-own life. When Russell isn't home, I actually decide what to eat based upon how much washing up would be required. When he's home I feel like all I'm doing is dishes dishes dishes.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I know what you mean. There is definitely more dishes and more laundry when my husband is home, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I like it when he is home, am devastated when he leaves, and joyous when he returns. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteI think washing things would be something I'd miss too because water comforts me. I like the sound of it splashing in the sink, the sound of it filling the washing machine, love the sound of the dishwasher running! My mom was independent until she had the last stroke, and those final 3 months in a hospital and care center I'm sure were the most difficult months of her entire life.
ReplyDeleteKaren, the last two months of my Dad's life in the hospital after his stroke were probably the worst in his too. He was always working and active and after the stroke, he just couldn't really do much anymore. He was a truck driver all his life and the stroke pretty much ruined any chance of him ever being able to drive or live alone again. He died before he ever left the hospital. Water is soothing. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments. ♥
DeleteInteresting. While I'm looking for an excuse not to do the dishes, she's crying because she has one.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/04/atoz-x-for-expelling-gas.html
Joyce, that was something I couldn't fathom when I was younger but certainly do understand more now that I am older. Sometimes we don't realize how much we miss something until we no longer are able to do it. Thank you for stopping by and for your comments. ♥
Delete