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Blog Entry 154 of 157 Thanks for the Memories - Niagara remembrances
Stories, anecdotes and memories from Niagara Falls and the surrounding communities.

The Move - Elaine Brown
Contributed by: Thanks for the Memories   on 7/22/2008

There are all kinds of moves in our life - slinky moves on the dance floor - a sneaky move meant to deceive - smooth move - on your drugstore shelf - a dangerous move - a delayed move (oops, missed the boat) - a hesitant move (the 'bugger' got away) - a tired move - chance move - a move back move - when your kids move and you hope for good - then move back.

Ah, yes, so many but the move I had to make was one I did not want to make - the move to a senior apartment because I could no longer take care of taking care of my home. The stress level of doing this is unbelievable - even my poor kitty cat, Tijou, was stressed.

But we all know - we read about it - we've had meetings, hints from our kids, etc., about it, there comes a time when our life drastically changes. THE MOVE IT IS!!! Some seniors resist this, and struggle saps their strength and their kids, who worry continually. That is my story - resist the reality - what changed for me and all the others here in this senior apartment, to come to the conclusion sadly "I've got to do." Some seniors, giving into the relentless nagging of a child, and goes unwillingly with resentment toward the one who knew in their heart that mom/dad must go.

Thank God for my finally knowing. I told my ever-silent children, Praise the Lord, I was going to finally move to Sawyer Gardens. I am proud to say that I packed everything myself. I was blessed with my granddaughter, Sarah, and her husband, Ed, who agreed to take my home. Solved a lot of what should I take to a three-room apartment from a three-bedroom, 1.5 bathroom, living room, kitchen, two hallways?

Yes, I left furniture. They wouldn't have to buy, helping us both. My 30.5 year-old broom (I felt I wanted a new one to go with my new life) - and lots of "stuff" I hoped they could use that probably went to the garbage. That's OK. I'm happy I could take things near and dear to me - old pictures from childhood to present. Memories of my marriage my past youth and some of the shenanigans I pulled - old friends and their part in my life of almost 84 years - the wars - WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Granada, Gulf, Iraq - all these memories, books, and boxes filled with them.

Somehow, we find room for all this and start new memories of these last 'good' move where we will enjoy yet more friends who will be here when we make maybe the LAST MOVE. I say maybe because we may have 2 more moves - assisted living and nursing home - then Heaven, but there is a possibility, moving in with children. My prayer is straight to Heaven. What a lovely thought!

UPDATE: The move, after 5.5 months, was the right thing and so far, everyone I've met has said "I didn't want to elave my home but knew I had to and I'm glad I did!" You who are reading this, and I know some, still saying, "I'll never move from here - never!!!" Please, as one who knows, is it fun not being able to get your mail or paper, cook a decent meal, depend on others for groceries, the doctors - all of the money we now have. Have you ever had your daughter pick out your clothes as with her busy schedule, you buy it even though it's not really what you want? How about that stopped up sink, toilet, house needs painting - lawn cut, trim bushes, checkbook messed up, etc. Call my son who just worked 8 hours of OT - "I've got 6 kids, surely one of them can help!" says you. Don't, please don't, do that to your children; I did and I hated it - to interfere with their busy lives when I could free them from worrying about me. They have their own lives and they really don't owe us, as many seniors think. God just loaned them to us to love and cherish.

So, seniors, if you are stubbornly staying in your home and at the same time asking for their help and hating asking, it is time.

Trust me, you will love it, be independent, make new friends, go to the casinos, dancing, grocery shopping, Walmart, doctors' appointments, picnics - oh, I could go on and on. "My move," the best decision to leave my home - it can be yours.

Originally written on January 11, 2008.



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Thanks for the Memories

Niagara Falls , NY

Thanks for the Memories has posted 157 blog entries and 4 comments since joining on 3/5/2007. Thanks for the Memories 's average blog rating is 5.
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