This isn’t the end of the line, but we often say you can see it from here. Independent living is frequently thought of as the step before the last step. While some residents have passed away here, modern medicine has found plenty of ways to help us linger on. So most will leave here for an extended care facility. Independent living is not a depressing place, but when one goes down, it is an incredibly caring place.
Edna was taken away Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. by ambulance. It was another stroke. She has had several. This is just the latest. By noon, word was everywhere. What can we do? Can we visit? What about her cat? Who can we call? Some pray, others gather information, and one cares for her cat. The hard thing for residents is that no one can get information from the hospital. None of us are family. We don’t see it that way. To us, Edna is family. Love and concern surrounds her and her family. We just want to know how she is. We want her to come back. We want her to heal.
Word came down today that she would be moved to a convalescence home. Her speech is slurred. She has been there twice and returned both times to great relief and joy. Of course, we want that this time. But the mood is depressed. The sense is that she may have moved to her final physical home on earth. What set the tone was hearing that her family had her baptized this morning. While she is not Catholic, it is being called “The Last Rites.” Few see hope. That leads to a solemn spirit on the grounds.
Edna lives in the main building. The sense of gloom has been extended with the accident Janet had yesterday. We are not exactly sure how it happened except that it was at the bus. She lost her balance and left over backwards hitting her head on the cement. We do not know if she was getting on the bus, waiting for the bus or what. Janet is 93. If she were younger, she would be home today. But her age is against her. She is a shining light in our building. She has an excellent sense of humor, volunteers at a convalescence home caring for the “old people.” She also makes the most amazing cheesecake I have ever tasted. She is a kind, loving and very helpful person.
She had a very small cut on the back of her head. She had 6-7 stitches. She is not allowed visitors. Her speech is still muddled. Her words are clear, but mixed up. She is not following conversations. We are told we might be able to see her on Monday. But they are keeping her under observation. The main concern is the possibility of swelling. We are very concerned for her and praying she will return.
We are not naive. No one believes they will love forever and I have not yet met anyone who wants to live forever. But we are reflective. About the only conversation around here is about these friends. It also brings on much speculation about the others with serious health concerns. There are concerns about end of life issues. It is interesting that while some fear death, most seem to welcome the possibility. No one wants pain, but most do not want to be tied to machines and they want life to end here, because there is still life here. There is still a sense of normality here. We are rarely sitting around waiting for the end to come. We still have a future and are looking forward.
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