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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 – Advanced)
Topic: Memory (07/10/08)

TITLE: The Most Important Things
By Donna Emery
07/12/08


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Hi, Mom! How are you feeling?

Why, it’s Maude! What are you doing in my room? And why are you calling me Mom?

Mom, I’m Sharla, your daughter. Maude was your sister.

Well, I think I know my own sister. And I’d certainly know if I had a daughter. And I’d never name her anything like Sharla. Oh, Maude, you are such a scamp. Is it time for school? Let’s skip school today!

Mom, I came because I’m worried. They called me to tell me you’d broken your hip and that you won’t walk with the physical therapist. They also said you won’t take your medicine or eat your food.

Oh, fiddlesticks! Broken hip, my eye! These people keep coming into the house and insisting that I exercise and take these awful pills. Why in the world doesn’t Dad keep them out? I can’t understand it for the life of me. Sometimes I think I’m on Candid Camera.

Mom, don’t you understand? You’re not home with your mom and dad. You’re 83 years old and you live in Pine Crest Nursing Home.

Oh, stop kidding around, Maudie. 83 years old. That’s older than Grandma Hazel. I don’t know why you’re all tricking me this way. Is it because of me borrowing your pink sweater? I told you I was sorry! Honestly, I just don’t know what’s been happening lately. And look at this food. If Mom wants me to eat you’d think she’d know better than to give me this slop.

Oh, Mom. I don’t know what I am going to do. You have to eat enough to stay healthy and you have to take your pills and do your exercises. I have enough to worry about at my own house. Since Edgar retired he’s been such a pest, and Lucy is getting a divorce, and …

Who are those people? Edgar? Lucy? Maude, why are you teasing me like that? I just don’t understand. What’s going on?

Please don’t cry, Mom. Here’s the nurse. Will you please take your pills and at least drink some milk? I’ll see if there’s something on the TV.

There, Maude. Did it make you happy to see me swallow those nasty pills? I don’t know what kind of vitamins Mom is buying these days, but they taste awful. And what is this awful, lumpy grey stuff?

It’s oatmeal, Mom. You used to love it.

Oatmeal, you say? You’re right, that used to be my favorite. Why can’t I remember what it looks like?

Here, Mom. There’s a station with hymns, and it shows the words. I know you love the old hymns. Maybe you’d like to sing some of them with me. Let me get your glasses.

Oh, don’t be silly. I don’t need to read to sing those hymns. “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride…”

Mom, that’s amazing! How can you remember all those words when you can’t remember anything else?


Well, I don’t know, Maudie. I guess I just remember the most important things. Now hush up and let’s sing. “Were the whole realm of nature mine…”


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This article has been read 454 times
Member Comments
Member Date
Betsy Markman07/17/08
I liked this very much. I worked for many years in nursing homes, and I felt like I was back there when I read your entry. I remember a few folks who were that far into dementia and yet still feisty. And I remember those who could still play the piano and sing even when they didn't know their own family.

Well written
Verna Cole Mitchell 07/17/08
I enjoyed your story very much. The dialogue interspersed with the feisty old lady's thoughts made for interesting reading. Excellently done.
Sara Harricharan 07/23/08
Oh my! This had a sad, but bittersweet kind of touch to it. I loved the character of the daughter and truly felt for that of the mother. I'm glad that she remember the 'most important things'. I'm especially glad to read something this fresh and new. Nice job! ^_^
Arlene Showalter 07/23/08
this read very smoothly from mother to daughter. a twist of humor in a sad situation. Very well written.


   
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