Perspective
His life's stride gave way to halting steps, then yielded to a cane that kept him upright. Later, with both hands on a walker, time and infirmities sat him permanently in a wheel chair. One day as I pushed Dad down the hallway he slowly reached out to touch the cane that was still leaning against a wall. We paused there for a moment as he grasped the silver handle.
With a quarter turn and a half smile he whispered to no one in particular, " Ah, those were the days."
© 2010 by R. Burnett Baker
Photo courtesy of Willow at Magpie Tales.
Ohh this made me feel so sad, what a lovely piece of writing and such deep emotion in so few words.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant writing Rick!
Christine
tight. and they can yet be the days again...
ReplyDeleteVery sad....it sometimes takes progressing to even more disability to make us appreciate the disability before!!!
ReplyDeleteThis made me appreciate my current chapter in life. Touching piece, Rick.
ReplyDeleteMakes me believe even more in not letting each day be a source of discontent.
ReplyDeleteLife really is very good every day.
Rick, the touching of the cane was terribly touching. Well written.
ReplyDeleteAnd so it goes..so glad he had his memories!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Willow on this one...thankful for my achy legs that still get me where I need to go. Very touching and I hope not prophetic for any of your readers.
ReplyDeletePerfectly, perfectly and simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYes, having to use a stick can leave one frustrated but how much worse when the stick is useless?
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of like an Aesop fable...
Beautifully done - love the spareness of it that encompasses so much!
ReplyDeleteA touching and truthful piece - terrific read. It catches in my throat and waits.
ReplyDeleteTouching tender beautiful prose, to remember this moment in time is the gift ---honor it and be fully present for it is so fleeting now is it not?
ReplyDeleteJoanny
Thank you all for your wonderful comments. Sometimes such simple moments are the most profound. Especially when we all face these challenges that hold so many lessons that we wish we didn't have to learn.
ReplyDeleteYet, the most precious lesson I think we learn through these troubles is how to extend and maintain our loved ones' dignity and self worth despite illness, and the facing of mortality.
Thank you all again!
Rick
As I started reading I was struck by how poetic the rhythm was in your writing...but then I finished and my little old heart just melted at the tenderness...
ReplyDeletejust beautiful
you gave us a hint (if this is indeed based on a true experience) from whom you got your poet credentials from....
Nice! So much contained in so few words. (I, too, am at the place where I say "those were the days.")
ReplyDeleteRick,
ReplyDeleteFunny how simple things bring back memories and wonderment. It's does a body good to pay attention to the experience of our elders no matter where we are in our journey.
rel
Wonderful piece, Rick!
ReplyDeleteA good reminder to us to cherish what we have. ( Not unlike the Mary Oliver poem you just commented on over at my place!)
Rick that was so moving. Loss of mobility is such a sad & in most cases an inevitable part of life. Having worked in the nursing field all of my working life I have seen how it affects people. In our youth we take our mobility for granted, thinking that we have it forever...when sadly this is not the case!
ReplyDeleteAnd what you say is so true Rick... we should always remember to maintain the dignity of our loved ones & encourage independent living for as long as is possible. We are all traveling that road and some day it may be us that needs assistance, compassion & patience. I believe we must never, ever lose respect for our elders.. no matter what happens.
I loved your Magpie...Rick! It sends out a very important message