Senior Sitting Poem by Bill Galvin

I ride the highway home
With buoyant wheels barely on the ground,
After four grand momentous hours
With the family’s Grande Dames;
Not aristocrats… just salt-of-the-earth,
But grand just the same.

I already have the peaceful, easy feeling
Before it first plays on my radio ride.

The twins, just shy of eighty-eight,
Talk about where the time goes,
And how it feels to lose memory.
We laugh at old stories of mine and theirs,
And recount stories of my Deb.
Stories of family, loss, how it feels in an empty house.

The evening is warm, but dry and comfortable,
With windows open to a nice breeze.
I just wish there was a comfortable chair in the house.
Been that way for years… for me, anyway.

I prepare them a fish dinner, salmon and sword,
And dessert is dried apricots dipped in chocolate
Brought all the way from California.
I bring them something different.
They enjoy protein shakes that Deb once liked,
So that will be something people can bring them.

I can talk bluntly. “Good. We like blunt.”
They laugh at my funny observations.

“Bill, what do think of us going to assisted living? ”

“It’s what’s best, Shirl. You’re both forgetting things.
And they are important things, like meds.
Family is doing their best to be here for you,
And they are stretched out and stressed.
But they do it because they love you.”

“And you may like the organized activities
To keep you entertained and active…
You don’t do much here anymore, but sit around.”

“You know, that’s right. And it’s a nice place.”
“And you won’t have stairs to deal with.”
“Yes, they are getting steep, ” Mom says.
“Plus, you’ll have air conditioning.” “That’ll be nice.”

“They probably have a Scrabble night;
Or you can start one.” They played up till two years ago,
And were good at it; hard to beat.

“You know, we have a good family around us.”

“Yes, and that’s all because of you… who you are.
We are good to you because you are good.
You deserve the best, and this is right for you,
And everyone caring for you.”

I set out Mom’s new pill for bedtime;
She was just discharged from hospital today.
VNA calls and they will come for a check tomorrow
And redo her pill box.
Mom feels a bit special, and less nervous.

Dawne calls; “Make sure my Mom takes those two pills.”
She does. Ready to leave, I hug them both.
My mother and my other mother… the Twins.
“Love you guys.” “Love you too.” “Me too.”
“Everything will be all right.” “I know.” “You’re right.”
“Nite.” “Drive safe.” “See you soon.”

I’m pleased that, having been so far away for so long,
I’ve been able to connect and soothe apprehensions.
As the oldest, it was perfect timing for my contribution;
A full life’s cycle of nurturing returned.

All things happen at the right time and place,
And at their own pace.

6-24-2015