But there is nothing sadder than watching someone sit and stare into space, with even a void of memories. I saw this at the nursing home, when my mom was there for rehab, and I wrote about it. I would like to share it with you, if you haven’t yet read it. Seeing them day after day, lined up in the hall in their chairs, brought me to the place of trying to capture what I was witnessing on paper. I can’t draw, but it was much like painting a picture of what I was seeing…but with words. Here is the link: http://sparkle333.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/nursing-home-reflections/

Very good post, Frank. Sparkle

You have so much on your plate now with your job don’t add to it now, but don’t hide from it on some future date.

Oh and before I forget, My, you have one good looking husband!!! And he write with the same heart you have!!! Take care and I will help you through the other whenever you want to get organized. Besides, you are a lot younger, but age doesn’t have anything to do with it!!
My best my dear friend, Frank

My dad is in a nursing home. He sits in his wheelchair and scoots himself along the hallways to go outside and smoke (despite the fact that he’s had cancer on his vocal cords at least twice already) and to the cafeteria for meals. He watches television and sometimes surfs the web. The reasons for his disabilities are vast and varied, but suffice it to say that most, if not all, of it has been self inflicted in one way or another. It’s sad, really, because my uncle is the only one that really goes to see him. I used to when I lived in the same town, but now I’m 1000+ miles away. My siblings refuse to go visit him. I understand their reasons. He was never much of a “dad” to any of us. But it still makes me sad that this man, who I know was a very intelligent, talented, caring person has been transformed into a weak, almost helpless old man. He’s only 71.

Whenever I get to see him I think how sad it is that his life consists of so little. So few friends, so few family members who will visit, such a small scope of existence.

I know that I don’t want to live my life that way…EVER! It scares me to think of growing old and being that helpless. I guess I need to think seriously about doing something about that NOW, while I still can!

However, the song does remind me of my mother’s father. He was a farmer with arthritis. He sold the family farm when he was 65 and moved to town. I remember him sitting in the same chair by the picture window across from the elementary school. I don’t remember him ever just taking a walk or move during the time I was there…I thought there was something more wrong with him that just arthritis…I think that when he took to his chair, he was waiting for the old silver clock to run out of time.

In my 30’s, I saw a very attractive lady working in a furniture store. She was in her 50’s and I remember thinking that I want to look like her when I get her age. She looked good.

I can honestly say that one of the benefits of Dan’s illness was for me to shed almost 70 pounds and, now that I am my 50’s, I look good. I just have to stay healthy and active.

(I can still sprint after a fleeing autistic 5 year old better than the 22 year old teacher’s aide…) I intend to do this no matter how old I get…

What do you say, Frank…let’s give the next generation something to talk about?! and it won’t be the “Silver Clock”.