Christmas is almost here. Mom just had her birthday, a date that’s difficult to forget, December 7, 1941.
We ate dinner and celebrated both their lives.
Nancy helped mom in the kitchen, a half-wall separating them from Dad and I. Dad was quiet. I remained quiet. I was content to watch him fall asleep sitting up at the kitchen table. As I watched him sleep, I thought that through the grace of God I will make it to his age. March 31st will be his 83rd birthday.
Before I left, mom placed a lift belt around dad’s waist. she attached the belt to a sit and stand. It’s kind of like the lift that’s used to remove a motor from a car. It was difficult to watch and hear mom say, “I have to do this 2-3 times a day.” Out of sight out of mind. It’s difficult for us to comprehend what we do not see.
Our mental health is no different. I can’t count the number of times I have heard people say, “You don’t look depressed” or one of my personal favorites, “What do you have to be depressed about?”
Ask yourself, ask someone else how they’re doing through all of the emotional turmoil that’s going on.
The Stoic Social Worker 