I
don't need a babysitter! It isn’t
called that when you reach my age but that is exactly what it is in my
opinion. After I broke my hip last spring
my children insisted on hiring a companion for me. As if I can’t take care of myself! As if I am lonely! It is ridiculous!! I am a grown man! I don’t need any help.
She
arrived today bright and early with enough stuff to fill my whole house for her
one room. Mary Poppins she is not! My kids know I am not happy about this turn of
events but once the doctor took their side, what could I say? She is here to help me they say. They claim I am forgetful. They say I could fall again. I refuse to
admit they are right.
All settled in she is sitting in my living room watching some God awful
daytime soap while folding my laundry.
What is the world coming to? Out
in the kitchen I decided I would warm up some soup. While looking out the kitchen window I see my
neighbor is outside pruning their hedge. I will go say hello hurrying out. In my haste I stumbled over a pesky tree root
and went straight down. I hear the smoke
alarm going off. The next thing I know
she is at my side helping me up. I am
shaken, but fine. I completely forgot
about the soup which is now burnt beyond recognition. I notice she has opened a window to air the
house. 
With a smile, she fluffs my pillow, switches on the television after
cleaning up the mess I made. Moments
later she presents me with a steaming, hot bowl of soup, crackers, a glass of
iced tea, and the television remote on a tray.
We chat and laugh. Disaster was
averted. I am safe and finally grateful
she is here realizing I need her after all.
This is a fictional story written for the Trifecta week 104 writing prompt.
We were to write a post of 33-333 words using the word "companion" and utilizing the third definition:
a. one that is connected.
b. one employed to live with and serve another.
Word count: 325 words
This hits far too close to home. You got it right.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I know you are going through this with your mom as we speak. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteIt's difficult sometimes to accept the help that we need. I know when I was going thru my cancer even tho I knew I needed the help I didn't like the idea of people waiting on me hand and foot, no one is here to be my servant and I didn't like not being able to do some things on my own. I have always been an independent woman and the thought of needing help from anyone is like nails on a chalkboard for me but sometimes we all need it, don't we?
ReplyDeleteMiMi, I think it would be hard for anyone to lose that independence and know you needed someone to help you when you have always done it yourself. I am a lot like you, so determined to do it all myself. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteIf people learn to accept truths perhaps things can improve for better. It is a bitter part of life but one needs to deal with it considering all options..
ReplyDeleteRicha
Richa, I agree. Still it hard to accept when you no longer can handle things on your own and need help. It is an awful blow to the psyche. I saw my Grandma face that truth and my Dad after his stroke. It is devastating. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteMany a times we get to see a completely different side of life unexpectedly. My granny had to have a companion for similar reasons and I must confess she was a gem of a lady. Beautiful story! :-)
ReplyDeleteRex_Vix, Yes and life turns on a dime. One minute you can be perfectly fine and the next not knowing where you put your false teeth or where you parked your car. It creeps up on you. I am so pleased you enjoyed my story! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteThat's a sweet post Kathy! We sometime don't want to face this sad reality of life...we keep fighting the inevitable...we often learn too late that this side of life needs to be embraced too!
ReplyDeleteAditi, I think that is just natural for a person to fight it. We fight growing up to get that sweet independence and once we have it we sure don't want to lose it. I am so pleased you enjoyed my post. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteNice job. I agree 100% with Aditi.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteA bowl of hot soup and crackers. Food for soul when sick. loved the way the protagonist accepted the companion's help and her inclusion in her life.
ReplyDeleteKalpana, I am so pleased you enjoyed my story! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteI like how he realized he needed help by the end. Some are so stubborn, they'll never admit it. Oh, and I'm glad he wasn't hurt again with the stumble. I'm already a klutz so I'm not looking forward to balance ad other issues that can crop up with age.
ReplyDeletejannatwrites, I haven't really met anyone yet that wasn't stubborn about losing their independence. Thank you for stopping by! I am so pleased you enjoyed my story! ♥
DeleteThis is so sweet and touching, Kathy. It's so hard watching our parents age and getting them the help they need on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Martha, it really is. I watched both of my parents get sick, need help, and eventually die. It is part of life I guess and ends up happening to all of us. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteOur stories are close... your has a happy ending. Perfect illustration for the fellow telling the story.
ReplyDeleteTedstrutz, I am so pleased you liked my story. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments! ♥
DeleteI've got grandparents who desperately need and reject this kind of help. Getting older is no fun sometimes, eh? Thanks for linking up with this powerful piece.
ReplyDeleteTrifecta, Getting older sucks in just about all instances. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteMy mom is getting to this point but she refuses to go to assisted living even though that house is too much for her and she didn't even like the VNA checking in on her post hip replacement last year. I know she wants me to move in and take care of her but that's not an option for many reasons.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I remember my Dad wanting me or my sister to move in with him as an option instead of facing assisted living when he left the hospital after his stroke. He was basically paralyzed on one side and dead weight. It would have been awful hard and he would have got better care at the assisted living facility. He didn't want to go and God took his side and took him to heaven instead. So in that case since he couldn't go back to living alone in his home, it was kind of the best option for him. He got to have a new body and be well again and he got to be with my mom in heaven. Can't imagine anything topping that here on earth. I hated to have him go, but in the long run...I am sure he is happier where he is now. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteNice take on the prompt, simple, heartwarming, yet hard-hitting and true.
ReplyDeletemahabore, I am so pleased you liked my story! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteI've forgotten about boiling water before, and I'm not even old! haha Great work!
ReplyDeleteDraug, they say the mind is the first thing to go! I have had many moments where my head was firmly lodged up my ass. Just happy I was able to pry it out and continue on without too much fuss. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. I am so pleased you enjoyed my little story! ♥
DeleteAwww! That's sweet! :)
ReplyDeleteI do wish they made it little easier on themselves and us ;)
mytakeoneverything9, I am so pleased you enjoyed my little story. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. ♥
DeleteSo well written! Loved it. Lovely take on the prompt. :)
ReplyDeletejyothisdayout.com, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteThis is such a lovely story, Kathy. Super like and good one for the prompt!
ReplyDeleteShilpa, I am so happy you liked it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteI like the progression from rebel to thankful acceptance.
ReplyDeletekymm, I am so pleased you liked it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteBeautiful one. If we could accept the changes and embrace life as it is everything would turn up just fine.
ReplyDeleteSheethal, yes it would go a bit smoother I imagine. Still that would be boring. Kicking up a bit of a fuss is what makes life interesting. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteWonderful! I can understand what he was going through though
ReplyDeleteSugandha, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
Delete