Respect Your Elders

I have never been embarrassed, nor felt any kind of regret for my children's behavior when it comes to older folks. The girls are simply too loving and compassionate for words! Last night, as our family joined my husbands' parents and his father's family around the table for dinner at a quiet restaurant, we laughed at old stories, ate hearty, and enjoyed one another's company. Sitting across from my husband and O, was Aunt Jean, who suffers now from Alzheimer's Disease. She looked excitedly around the table at the unfamiliar faces and asked of Olivia, "Now who are you, dear?" O answered sweetly, "I'm O." Aunt Jean smiled and told her what a beautiful girl she is and proceeded to ask her if she enjoyed singing. O giggled and nodded her head. Aunt Jean sang a quick verse of 76 Trombones. The table overheard the conversation and all smiled, continuing on with their side-conversations. A moment later, Aunt Jean looked at my husband and said, "I know I should know you, do you know who I am?" He nodded his head and said, "Yes, Aunt Jean, my dad is George...your brother." She looked about the table then. George waved his hand at her. He said, "Jean, yes, your handsome baby brother!" Aunt Jean laughed. Then became teary. O whispered to me, "Mom, is Aunt Jean crying?" I patted her knee under the table and smiled. A moment later, Aunt Jean looked at O and said, "Do you know who I am?" O smiled at her and said, "Yes, you're Aunt Jean." Aunt Jean said, "That's right! You are such a beautiful girl. I hope that we can be friends. Do you like to sing?" She began her verse of 76 Trombones, clapping along. The table took note again, some joining her in song. M and B looked around wondering what was happening. When she finished, Aunt Jean looked at O and asked her what her name was. O answered her again...and later answered her again...and again. The meal was a round of 76 Trombones and O's first name to be repeated over and over. But O never showed sign of wear. And Aunt Jean's daughter, Mary, looked at O with such adoration for her genuine kindness. O already knew of Aunt Jean's progressing disease over the last two years. But she'd had no idea how taxing it could be for someone on a daily basis, and got a heavy dose of it that night. She commented later that night after we'd all parted ways that she didn't know that Aunt Jean would "be like that". Yet, during the dinner, O never let on that she was confused by her aunt's behavior. She simply carried on with the grace of someone who loves so greatly outside of herself. It was truly inspirational.