This is a peek into the world of an elderly woman in our community; a plea for help with the problem of depression and uselessness that our elders face in a society that values youth and novelty over time tested wisdom.
It was dark in the room when I awoke and I mistook the mirror for a man’s heavy coat.
But that’s not as bad, (or as funny) as when I woke up hungry and took a nice, big bite out of a page of my coloring book.
Or how ’bout when I fell asleep at the computer and thought my mouse was a coffee cup. Ha ha!
Some of the things are comical, it’s true. But you wouldn’t like it happening to you.
It’s not just the fact that I do mixed up things but my whole life is mixed up.
I can’t stand my daughter, miss goodie two shoes and my other daughter is far away, and besides that she’s changed. I used to call her my angel and I could count on her for anything but now she seems angry and when she talks to me it stings.
My boys have all died, my mother and father and one brother, too.
I don’t know why I’m still here.
It hurts when I walk or move my arms, I choke when I eat and I can’t breathe.
Every day is a struggle; I hate that I’m losing the strength I once had.
My mother and I built most of this house with our own two hands with wood we salvaged from some old barn.
When I moved in here it was bare and hot and now this property looks like a park.
Honeysuckle, Apricots, Mulberry tree, Date trees, Cotton Wood and a gigantic Evergreen. We’ve got Catalpa and Elms, Bird of Paradise, Iris, Spanish broom and Mexican and Pampas Grasses, Morning Glories, Marigolds, Amarillis, and Blue Salva that just sprung up one summer on its own, I don’t know how it got there. Hollyhocks cover the north side of the house and the back of the property is lined with Bamboo.
It just doesn’t seem fair that all this work, and all this beauty is just going to go back to nothing but dirt.
I’m discouraged today. I’m a little depressed. I feel bitter and I can’t get out from under a sense of impending doom, of uncomfortable unrest and meanglessness.
I think it would be best for all concerned if I could die today.
But wait, my little kitten wants to play.
I found her in the bushes a few weeks ago. She was starving and her eyes were covered in gunk; poor, pitiful baby.
I took her in and got her cleaned up and fed and with the help of my neighbors, we got the medicine for her eyes and stuffy head.
She is so soft and snuggly and really smart too.
I guess I’ll have a cup of coffee and see what my Facebook world is up to.
I don’t mean to be glum.
I want to be cheerful.
I’m not growing old with graceful charm.
I’m fighting tooth and nail but
We all know Time has already won.
So what do I do?
I sip my coffee while it’s hot and enjoy the morning while it’s still and quiet.
I vow I’ll not start another riot with my daughter or with anyone else for that matter.
I’ll put one foot in front of the other and pray that there is more to life than growing old and bitter.
asingingtree 