Helen's Home World: Time Well Spent

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Time Well Spent

Last week, I went down to Moncton, New Brunswick to visit my Mum. She lives in a Nursing Home in Riverview, having suffered a stroke a few years ago. This year was her first Christmas without my Dad so I wanted to spend part of the holidays with her.

I flew in on 1 Jan and my youngest sister flew in the next day. We were lucky, in that we were able to rent a military married quarter for part of our stay in Moncton. The house is a small 3 bedroom fully-furnished bungalow and at $35 per night, it was an ideal place to stay.

We took Mum out to the Casino on 3 Jan. I think she had a good time although she said the slot machines didn't pay out very big. We were generally only playing five lines on a 2 cent machine, so we were only betting 10 cents a spin. I'm not a big spender but Mum could have been as twice she played the max bet, 30 lines on a 10 cent slot. Mum and I still managed to play all afternoon on only $20, we won about $36 between us but lost it all by the end of the day. We divided the afternoon up by having a lunch in the Casino restaurant; next time we may try the buffet.

The Big Spender

The next day we took her out shopping at the Mall. She said she was glad we were with her as we kept her moving from store to store. She does like to shop. She bought a new purse, quite a few new blouses and a sweater. That evening, as Maureen was leaving the next morning, we went over after supper to see Mum at the home.

Two outings in a row really tired her out so the next day was a lazy day. I didn't go over to see her until after lunch and then I only stayed a couple hours as she wanted to have a nap.

The next day, we did a craft project together and made a winter wreath for the door to her room. It turned out really nice.

Winter Wreath

When I went back that evening, a friend of mine from high school was in visiting Mum. We had recently gotten back in touch by e-mail. He works in Moncton so he said he would stop in regularly to visit. That's so nice of him as many of her friends have hardly ever visited even though they said they would.

I was flying out late the next day so Mum and I just spent the afternoon chatting and watching television. It was a good trip and time well spent.

4 comments:

andreaJanuary 10, 2012 at 8:21 PM
so glad the trip went well :)
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La complice de Jasmine / Jasmine's Partner In CrimeJanuary 10, 2012 at 9:42 PM
It's not easy to watch the ones we love grow old. I'm very lucky to have both my parents still leaving in their own house, even if they're in their 80s.

On a side note, I'm impressed with your crafting skills. : )
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SaraJanuary 11, 2012 at 5:51 AM
What a nice trip! Casinos can be so much fun.

I'm sure your mom loved having you there.
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UnknownJanuary 11, 2012 at 9:03 AM
It was so sweet of you to spend the Christmas with your mom and I'm sure she was really happy to have you around.

Glad that your trip went well, the winter wreath is so artistic and beautiful!
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother