Long ago (27 years) I worked as a Caseworker at a Home Care, visiting older people in their homes, and evaluating them for receiving free services to help them remain in their homes . One of my clients was an elegant, remarkable woman in her 90's.
I would visit her in her beautiful big worn farmhouse, spare and yet lovely and worn. It was evident she had not had much money for some time, but what she did have was 7 dogs!
She was bedridden, and recently had become blind. Her nephew had built a gorgeous woodworking shop on her land, and came by to help her in the morning and evening, and check in and let the dogs in and out. He was a kind young man, with a young family, and very fond of her.
She lay in a single bed , her bedroom off the living room and kitchen. Her long long white hair was in a single braid, and as her various dogs came in to kiss her and wag their helloes, she simply lit up, embracing them and delighting in them all.
She described the books on tape the aide had begin kicking up for her at the library down the road, while shopping for her. And described for me how she had decided to learn to play violin.
I never saw her for moment concerned or unhappy . I'm certain she was human , and experienced all those human moments .
But the thing is, what she wanted more than anything was to go ahead and wear depends, live all alone in her chilly drafty old house with her Lifeline around her neck, have the aides come to clean dishes and house a bit and laundry and cook up simple stews that lasted for 8 lunches and dinners, and be in her home, with her passel of wiggling loving canines .
Not simple, but today on this dark winter day, I am just remembering the intelligent, definitive glow of her face , well loved in her life.
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