My Great Aunt, My Grandma and most of all My Friend
Mabel was a lady that you had to take with a grain of salt, if you didn't well let's just say she was unique, loving, loveable, a character. She was a jack of all trades. She'd tell you how it is... That was Mabel, and she didn't care what you thought when she did tell you how it was. So when my mom asked me will you take care of your auntie Mabel, I was like.... hummm, this should be interesting... a chance for me to grow as a person, and get to know her in a hole new level. I was scared at first, and it takes alot to scare me. I just wanted to please her, I wanted her to know that I loved her and that's why I was there to care for her when she needed it most. Little did I know was that she was the one that would teach me.
We began our journey together 4 1/2 months ago. I went up to the nursing home with my mom, and we sat and talked to her. She told me what she wanted and I agreed that I could sit with her and take care of her making sure that the nursing home was doing there job. Which will surpise you, that most of the time they were not. Maybe that doesn't surprise you. It didn't me, I worked for one. Sometimes they just treated you like a number, that you're not important that we'll get to you when we can. Well it was harder to ignore when someone was there around the clock like we were.
As the day's grew that I sat with Mabel, I got to know her in a whole new way. We grew close, it was hard not to get yourself attached to her. She's a wonderful woman, she's strong. And so sweet. But remember I told you she's a character. If you didn't do something right she'd let you know. But I learned how to get around that. Usually when she'd say something naughty like a cuss word... I'd go MABEL... lol, and she'd look up at me and get a little smirk in her eyes and go what? I'd say you know what...lol. But, usually that situation allowed that word... :)
As time went by, everyone began to love her. One of the nursing assistants told me, she's my favorite. I said really? She shook her head yes and told me, she keeps me on my toes and she's just the sweetest. I smiled, because I knew she was the sweetest, and she could me the character too, but that's when she was keeping you on your toes.
Mabel, tamed down over the time that I took care of her alot. We could usually sense when the other was moody and needed to be the one with the work load... For me it was like a mountain, and I knew when we'd get to the top, I'd have to let go, when we got to that destination. Was a prepared.... NO, not in the least. I didn't want to let go, but I knew that I had too, I had to for her... so that she wouldn't have to be in pain anymore. So I did.
You can't prepare yourself for a loss like losing a loved one, but we all know that is part of life. Eventually we all have to go home to the Lord. But, the ones that we leave behind miss us a great deal.
I know I will miss Mabel, but I won't forget the time that I had with her. No one can ever take that away from me. It was a journey that I knew was going to end. It was a learning experience for me, one that I was taught a lesson. That I'm going to continue learning.
I Love you Mabel, my friend.... And I thank God for giving me the time that I had with her.
Love,
Kimberly
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