My kids and I were at the bookstore. Everyone had gotten a book and I told them all if they read quietly they could share some of the big cookies.
As we were sitting there a thirty-ish year old man walked into the dining area pushing a walker on wheels. He had trouble moving his legs and was very slow. An older woman was directly behind him with her left arm on his back and her right hand pushing/steering the walker gently.
I looked around and saw that everyone was looking at the man. I made sure my kids weren’t staring but I noticed the man look up and take in every pair of eyes on him. He was attempting to walk to a table and chair two tables over from us. His arms were shaking with effort.
As he got to the chair the mother darted around to pull the chair out and then she ran back around the table and got behind him and put her hands under his arms to support him. “Easy. Easy. Easy,” she said as he collapsed into the chair.
His face was red and I could see he was so frustrated. He looked up at her and then raised his voice at her right there. “You’re being nuts,” he said. “Why are you all over me?”
She hesitated so he asked again, this time louder.
She finally said in a half whisper, “If you fall I’m not strong enough to pick you up anymore.”
Wow. It was an insight into a very difficult life, one she responded to with love and caring for her son.
This didn’t seem to help his mood but it spoke volumes about a mother’s love. If that’s not a love to learn from I don’t know what is.
March 22, 2013 at 2:38 am
Our Lady of Sorrows in Passiontide, ora pro nobis.
March 22, 2013 at 3:06 am
It makes me feel very sad. We don't know why the man acted that way or if he acts that way habitually. It feels all around sad.
March 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm
My Mom had to relinquish care of my brother about 14 years ago because he had grown too large for her. It was no longer safe at home for either of them anymore with his risks of falling. It was heartbreaking watching him leave our home, but both my sister and I were away at college and couldn't be there around the clock if they needed us. It is a tragedy, but it compelled Hubby and I even further to have a large family. Once Obamacare becomes law of the land, and they kick my brother out of the system for being a 'useless eater' we need as much familial support as possible to help care for him. That's why God gave me 3 sons first I believe! I will pray for that woman and her son, both of whom deserve nothing but our respect and love. And I'm sure in her mother's heart that woman was more upset with the eyes ogling her son making him feel so undignified than she was by his own reaction to it.
March 24, 2013 at 1:30 am
God Bless such a devouted mom and her adult son. Pray for them both, their family needs the graces of fortitude and perseverance! When we leave the house, we make light of our situation, by stating as a matter of fact, "Yeah, the circus came to town." "Complete with skills, thrills and chills!" "Please, you don't have to thank us!" 🙂