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Sunday, May 8, 2011

A Happy Mother's Day for Grandma




“What day is it?”  Ms. Spencer asked to nurse assistant Peggy.
“It’s Sunday,” Peggy said, drawing close to Ms. Spencer. “Anything planned for today?”
“I think my daughter said she would come to see me today.”  Ms. Spencer shook her head.  “Lord, I can’t remember any more!”
Ms. Spencer wheeled down the hall, stationing herself next to the living room area, browsing at magazines. She waited patiently. 
“Grandma! Grandma!” A high-pitched voice echoed throughout the living area.  Ms. Spencer turned around. Her hazel eyes brightened as she spotted little Hayley entering the nursing home, running toward her, enthusiastically and full of youthful energy.
Following Hayley was Ms. Spencer’s daughter, Linda, watching Hayley closely, fearful that her five-year old might run down another resident happenstance to be in the path of her charge to see her grandmother. 
Ms. Spencer and Hayley hugged each other, a long and warm embrace that only grandmas know how to give.    
Linda observed the two of them, and smiled. Her mother had been confused often, but her mind never failed when Hayley was present, her little and playful granddaughter. 
Ms. Spencer and Hayley usually drew into long conversations during their visits.  Hayley would ask multiple questions.  And Ms. Spencer sharpened when Hayley was around. 
“Mom, let’s go to your room.” Linda reached the wheelchair handles, and propelled her mother down the hall.  Hayley happily followed them.
“Grandma, we have presents for you!” Little Hayley couldn’t keep the secret any longer. 
“You do? How nice of you.” Ms Spencer said with a wide smile. 
Once in Ms. Spencer’s room, Hayley helped handling the gifts to her grandma. 
“Mom, happy Mother’s Day!” Linda kissed her mother on the cheek. 
“This is Mother’s Day?”  Ms. Spencer straightened her glasses to start opening the delicately wrapped gifts.  But she first took her time reading a greeting card that Linda had given to her. 
Hayley had wandered and was rummaging through her grandma’s closet.
“Hayley,” her mother called. “Come here to say ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to grandma.” Linda turned around. “What are you doing?”

Hayley had managed to reach and put on a red cardigan. She walked fashionably, modeling the cardigan that looked more like a long dress on her. 
“Oh, don’t you look pretty?” Ms. Spencer exclaimed and laughed. 
Hayley headed to Ms. Spencer’s night drawer and grabbed one of her books.  Ms. Spencer used to read often, before going to bed, but lately her eyes and mind lessened her enjoyment of reading.  Regardless, she kept her collection of books near her, a reminder of her younger days as an elementary school teacher. Children, and the world of literature she rewarded their inquisitive minds were her passion.
“Are you going to read my book?”  Ms. Spencer winked at Linda, flashing a broad smile.
Hayley drew close to Ms. Spencer, clutched the book near to her heart, motioned her chin up, and glanced at her mother.  Her delightful voice filled the brief silence... 
“When I grow up I want to be like grandma!” Hayley blinked and grinned.
Ms. Spencer remained speechless. Tears glistened in the corner of her eyes. 
Hayley threw herself on Ms. Spencer lap.  “I also want a cookie!”
Linda started to open a box of pastries that she had brought in.
“This is the best Mother’s Day present I’ve ever expected.”  Ms. Spencer said, while taking her glasses off to wipe away her tears. 


32 comments:

Mari said...

So sweet! Children certainly do bring joy with them when they visit.

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Grandkids are awesome. We visited our son and his wife and our grandkids gave us the most precious hugs. I can understand why Ms Spencer was so overwhelmed.

Anonymous said...

A perfect Mother's Day story, Doris. Children know how to do it, don't they?

I hope you, too, have had a special day.
Ann Best, Memoir Author

Karin said...

What a beautiful story! One of the favorite programs for our residents is Moms and Tots. The residents are seated in a huge circle and the moms and tots in the middle with all kinds of children's toys. It is so touching the way children will bring a toy to one or the other of the residents and interact with them - with mom's help, of course. Lots of fun and laughter!

anthony stemke said...

Wonderful reading this essay, enjoyed it.

anthony stemke said...

Wonderful reading this essay, enjoyed it.

Arkansas Patti said...

What a marvelous story. Isn't it wonderful how children can so easily relate to the elderly. They don't see the infirmities and physical losses, just the love.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Aw, very sweet.

Anne Gallagher said...

Great story. I love how you used the word 'happenstance'. I must find a way to use it too.

Amrita said...

Happy Mother 's Day. I love this sweet an d poignant story

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Watching the interactions between young children and the elderly is always fascinating, and usually heartwarming. Children don't care if the elder's mind isn't as sharp as it used to be, and the elderly don't care if the children aren't always as quiet and mannerly as their parents would have them be. They simply accept each other at face value ... and share unfettered love. Thank you for sharing another beautiful story with us.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What a lovely and sweet story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What a lovely and sweet story! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

Unknown said...

Wonderful story. Great writing.
QMM

Rita said...

How precious! There just is nothing like a grandchilds hug! They can make your heart sing and your tears flow! I'm going to see mine this weekend! Yeah!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Doris .. you certainly have a way of saying it all .. children just always know how to make parents and grandparents happy .. brilliant & I bet Hayley will be just like her grandmother caring and full of love ..

Always uplifting being here - leaving me something to think about .. thanks Doris .. cheers Hilary

Marta Benicá said...

Lindíssimo este post.Abraços, Marta
http://martabenica.com.br/artes

John Paul McKinney said...

Five days late, I just read this one. Really glad I did. Hope you had a great Mother's Day. Thanks for sharing these beautiful stories

Deb Shucka said...

The perfect Mothers' Day story. I loved that Hayley wanted both to be like Grandma, and cookies. Gorgeous writing.

Anonymous said...

I cry over almost any Mother's Day post having lost my mother so very long ago...and I guess, being a sentimental Italian girl.
This was lovely. ~Mary

Toyin O. said...

That is such a touching story, kids say the sweetest things sometimes, thanks for sharing.

Claudya Martinez said...

That was beautiful. You are a wonderful writer.

Have Myelin? said...

This is so sweet. Thanks for sharing...

Alcina said...

Aww..that was so nice and very lovely..

Very nicely penned down emotions :)

Alcina

Sylvia Ney said...

Awww....

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Hi,
How are you?
I have an award for you "Straight from the Heart Award" Please accept it. I will be honored.

Nelson said...

Thank you for stopping by! I really do appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment...I read each and everyone of them. I hope your day is a good one and that you will come back again soon. Take care. Nelson Souzza :)

Laura said...

This was lovely...
My mom always loved when the little ones could come visit her.

Mrs. Pancakes said...

im your newest follower!

Libby said...

grandmas & grandchildren = the deepest love ever!

Marta Benicá said...

Olá Doris, como vc está? Espero que muito bem. Passei para lhe dizer que o blog está fazendo um aninho e eu queria agradecê-la por ser seguidora este tempo todo, muito obrigada. Um agrande beijo, Marta.

Cloudia said...

wonderful post!!!!!!





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