I used the phone...

[kragore]

...and called my grandmother last night - my Father's mother, whom I grew up next to all my life. A few years back, she had a stroke/breast cancer scare, but she's bounced back remarkably well.
A few weeks ago, She fell down on her porch and had to crawl to a phone to call us to help her get up.
That was that, she now has a Life Alert button ("help-I've-fallen-and-I-can't-get-up") and loves it. Loves the peace of mind. Loves the security to knowing if she does something, she can get help.
I talked to my sister, and she said it's led to Gram getting out and doing all sorts of things - (that we normally wouldn't advocate) - going for short walks down her driveway, puttering out on the lawn and looking at the birds and the flowers, going over and petting the horses, and I could tell by talking to her that she was happy. Happy that she could live without as much fear.

She lives alone, next door to us. She will be 93 in May.

**

I called my other grandmother last night too. My mother's mother. She is not doing so well. Refuses to wear the Life Alert. Regards it as some horrible abomination. Does not want to talk. Does not want to tell me about her day. Takes out her anger at the degradation of her life on my mother. Is angry and bitter towards everyone and everything.

***

My Gram who lives next door told me about how she got all dressed up because she thought she had a senior meeting to go to. My the other refuses to mingle with her peers.

Gram found out she got all ready, but the meeting was last week, so she decided to wear her good clothes all day. The other refuses to go outside if anyone is going to see her.

****

There are two very different aging mindsets here. There is something to be said for raging against the sunset of your life, but there's also the courage to accept it gracefully.

I can only hope I migrate towards my father's mother.

- k.

Comments

heh.

[embermwe.livejournal.com]

I am old enough ta be mom to about half the folk hereabouts.
Old enough technically to be a grandparent.
I hafta go with Gram~positive! While we live, let us LIVE!
Keeping a positive attitude and love in your life keeps you young and alive. Keeps your eyes bright and your heart warm!