An Original Poem from "A."

[luise.volta]

DON'T WAIT

Please don’t wait to visit me,
’til my days are already past,
When nothing’s left but memories,
And a small green plot of grass.

Please don’t ignore my need,
For kind words and gentle hands,
For laughter over past memories,
And reminiscing about old friends.

Don’t conveniently forget me,
Just because my memory’s shot,
Because my eyesight’s dimming,
And it hurts to walk a lot.

Don’t forget the arms that held you,
When your soul first graced the earth,
Who struggled for painful hours
The evening of your birth.

Don’t forget the nighttime stories
Read to you each night,
Or prayers on bended knees
Before turning out the light.

Don’t forget your childish nightmares,
Or whose arms snuggled you close,
Who rocked you back to sleep,
While we counted piggy toes.

No, don’t store me in your memory,
Conveniently tucked away,
While I’m still alive and longing,
For a few minutes of your day.

Your days are filled with your job,
Husband and kids you say,
But as you rush to fill your days,
Mine are slipping away,

So, please don’t wait to visit me,
’till my days are already past,
When nothing’s left but memories,
And a small green plot of grass.

[Pen]

How true, Luise. Thanks for posting; kleenex needed here 

[Pooh]

Beautiful Luise!

[not like the movies]

Wonderful! Both my parents are under care with Hospice. They are in assisted living. I see many seniors that have no visitors. We have adopted a few since we are they a lot. Sad to see. I don't know why family won't visit. I was not apart of the earlier years so I don"t know the history. I often think if an adult child wanted to punish a parent for real or perceived wrong doings, they have truly chosen the ultimate effective method. It is truly painful to witness.

[luise.volta]

I see that in my own family. I think it is sometimes just too hard for those Val no longer recognizes to be treated like strangers. He has also changed drastically, both mentally and physically, and it is difficult to accept that. I also think it is very confronting to some regarding their own mortality. I don't have anything going on about their not coming to see him because I have it covered and Val is happy. He doesn't miss them. He has forgotten them completely. I don't think they are being selfish or superficial…it is just too painful and I don't see the point. I tell them to connect with him heart to heart….soul to soul…and send him love. And those who want to come, I welcome. Some couldn't live with themselves if they didn't come. We're all different.

There is one person Val recognizes…even by name. That is the ex-husband of Kirk's ex-wife…so the connection very remote. His is also of color and we aren't. However, Bill made it a point in the last five years of Val's "normal" life to make a date with him every month to take him to the show and out to eat afterward. Just a "guy thing." I was so touched and I still am. He still comes every month and it's over 100 miles round trip.


When my times comes and I end up in nursing, it will be different because I won't have a loving spouse by my side every day. I honestly think Kirk and my extended family will do their best but no one lives close by and they all have busy lives. It's not an easy issue to address. My dad lived with me before he had to go into nursing and I remember the other side of the coin.

[Pooh]

As long as you have your laptop, you will have us visiting every day and reminding you how much you are loved! 

[luise.volta]

Awww, Pooh...

[Pooh]

I'm not afraid to call those nurses up and tell them to turn that laptop on! 

[luise.volta]