Her Afternoon Nap

This afternoon a good friend drove me to the nursing home to visit my mother. I felt reluctant to accept the ride because I did not know how long I would be able to visit my mother. Sometimes my mother is wide awake and spirited; other times she would nap soundly in her chair. However, as I am temporarily disabled and dependent upon the goodwill of others, I accepted the offer.

My mother was so tired she was actually put to bed. The nurses said she was awake early and had a lot of energy, but that sometimes sleep overtakes her. The recent times I visited, she had been sleeping soundly. I caressed her hands and her legs and ran my fingers through her hair because she likes it. She was neatly covered with a blanket and I asked, "Are you warm?" She replied, "Yes." So I placed a few more blankets on her and asked, "Does this make you feel better?" "Yeeeeeeeesssssssssss!"

I talked for a few minutes and gave her some updates on news, and she just nodded. I read a little to her and asked if she liked it, and she said, "Yes." So, I asked a few more questions: Are your spirits good? Yes. Do you feel well? Yes. Did you enjoy lunch? Yes. Would you like me to stop asking you questions? Yes. Would you like me to leave so you can sleep? Yes. Would you like me to go now? Yes.

I talked with the nurses, a few patients and their caregivers, the kitchen staff, and my niece, and then began the trek home. I still considered it a good visit.

Earlier in the day, I once again relied upon the kindness of others to collect me from BC High to bring me to Topsfield to say mass. I feel inhibited with my driving restrictions, but it is nice to rely upon the goodwill of others, especially when you know it is an inconvenience. Likewise, I had goodwill from other parishioners to bring me home at the end of mass.

I felt energized to say mass. It takes a while for me to get prepared for the day, so I knew my energy would be directed towards getting prepared for the day. I reviewed in my mind all the events of  public mass that I would have to do just to make certain my body would cooperate. I neglected to remember one part: the genuflection.

I said to the congregation: I may not be able to do this, and they shouted out: Don't, but I genuflected and found that it felt really good. So, I did it two more times during the course of the mass. It felt good to be engaged in public worship.

I suspect I will see my mother later in the week once I get clearance. My bandage comes off tomorrow, and I'm ready to free the wound from its protective cloth. I'm on my way to better health.