Love Expressed

My greatest gift received from working with the elderly has been to
witness family visits.

Sons bringing in a favorite meal, sharing with their mother in the
coffee shop, laughter and conversation lends a homelike setting
the son visibly pleased at the mother's enjoyment of food and normalcy.

On another occasion a daughter set-up a table with linen, candles, tea
pot and special dishes from home. It was an extra effort to bring memories
from home into the nursing home. This to me was love expressed.

Other family members attend with grandchildren in tow. Everyone oohs
and aahs over the youngsters. Parents and grandparents beam with pride.

A husband visits daily displaying commitment shared. Their daughter flies
in from England with regularity. Lineage reclaimed through family visits.
Shared moments of love expressed.

In this setting I witness the bonds of parents and children. The extension
of life through grandchildren. Witnessed also are the concerns, worries
and grief of family members.

It can be taxing at times to deal with so much emotion. Yet I remind myself,
this is love expressed in many subtle ways. Our lives touch and it is rewarding
to know we shared feelings sometimes difficult to express.


written by Pauline
copyright November 2006