"A Necessary Evil?"

My Mom will be going into a nursing home this weekend...kind of a "necessary evil" type of thing.  I know that it's for the best...for her safety, for her mental and physical health.  But it sure is harder than I thought it would be.

A once vibrant woman,  she can't remember things now...she repeats herself a lot...she's unable to do the simple tasks she once did...and has that "deer in the headlights" look, that comes with dementia.

They say many of us regress, as we age.  It applies to kids putting their folks into nursing homes, I'm finding.  I have the same feelings of trepidation I felt, as a young Mom, when the boys entered kindergarten.  "Will she be safe?"  "Will she make friends?"  "Will she know her way around?"  "Will she behave?"

Nursing homes have come a long way.  I know that.  Maybe they were once a place to tuck away those who have outlived their supposed usefulness... but not anymore.  There are activities to engage the residents, having attention paid to their needs, enhancing and maybe even prolonging their lives.

Mom's handling it (for now) with the same grace she had when she surrendered her car keys...knowing it's best for her and is the right time.  Worrying about the kids who have helped her live her life lately has been a pleasant consideration, too.  We've gathered some of the precious mementos of a life, well-lived, with which to decorate her new "home" and hopefully, she'll live out the rest of her life, content with this decision.  I really pray so.

I know I should feel blessed to even be in this position...to have had my Mom for so long.  How many, at age 62, can even say that?  But I guess, with this "milestone", if you want to call it that, comes the realization, that we're becoming the oldest generation. And I'm not really prepared for that yet.

Aging's a funny thing.  The years fly by and there you are.  But I would like it to be noted, by my three sons, that their Dad and I aren't "there" yet, contrary to what they may think some days.  So don't be getting any ideas, guys!  I may not handle it as gracefully as my Mom has.