Old Age . We Can't Dismiss The Reality

AN OLD LADY'S POEM
(This poem is located in many hospital wards, it is there to remind the staff that even though a patient is old, they are still important. They still have feelings and they still matter.)
I love my mother dearly. Recently she has entered a nursing home. 
I pray she is always recognised as someones daughter, mother, and grandmother. A lady of dignity and one who is worthy of respect.


This Poem was written by an elderly patient in her final years.
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?


A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?


Who dribbles her food and makes no reply""
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,


And forever is losing a stocking or shoe....
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,


With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.


I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.


I'm a small child of ten...with a father ! and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.


A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.


A bride soon at twenty--my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.


At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.

My parents, elder brother and sister

A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.


At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.


At fifty once more, babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.


Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.


For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.


I'm now an old woman....and nature is cruel;
Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.


The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.


But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.


I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.


I think of the years....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.


So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
...Not a crabby old woman; look closer...see ME!!
Annonymous.

My own mother has lived a full life. 
Looking back there is much wisdom in what she has learned and what she has taught her own children.
Now its her time to be loved and cared for.

                                                                       My mother now.

"I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 
John 21:18



"Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with a promise;
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Ephesians 6: 2-3

Postscript:
Some people read only what they wish to see.. 
These persons have eyes to see, but no heart of compassion or understanding.
And to those, let me say, "God judges the heart and, I love my mother."