GREAT SCOTT!

I know there is a such thing as elder abuse, but what about middle aged adult abuse at the hands of the elders. Is anyone out there campaigning for that?!  Because I can see its becoming a serious thing around here nothing physical but this mental anguish is really taking its toll.

Orchids For Baby

It was a crazy day.  There was my mother, being tended to by paramedics who had been called to the house by me.  It looked like it might be something serious.  They wheeled in a gurney, and while they checked her over, firemen and paramedics seemed to be swarming in and out of the house.  There stood Gran, in her robe, hair standing on end, with her walker (she had been in bed for the night) looking dazed and frazzled.  Why you might ask?  Because her only daughter was being taken away in an ambulance for who knew what reason?  No!  As the paramedics were coming in and out with vital equipment, she was scolding them  at a very high volume:" Close the door! You're letting all the bugs and cold air in!!"  That's my Granny! 

They of course paid no attention to her, being occupied at the moment.  So she turns to me, a puzzled look on her face.  Gran put her hands to her temples, and asked ...,"is this how I check my heart beat?"  (I mean who at ninety-three has no clue where to check their own heart beat....!) I guessed this was just her way of trying to grab some of the attention.
 But I told her, "no Gran, it's not how you check your pulse and your fine." One of the fire fighters noticed what she was doing and had her sit down.  She was smiling up at him.  I think he needed to move her out of the way.  She was loving the attention anyway, and me, well, I was rolling my eyes.  I guess it's just Gran's number problem again: 9 - 3.

All she really ever worries about is her orchids. No one is allowed to touch them, she even smacked my sister's hand the other day when she was about to touch one of the blooms on her newest orchid. 

My mom had started a tradition when Gran turned 90.  Gran is an orchid lover and had a small greenhouse at her house, where she raised orchids.  So to commemorate her great milestone of reaching her 90's, mom started buying her orchids to add to her collection.  Well, this year, when Gran turned 93, she was waiting for her orchid.  Mom had been busy and it seemed she was going to forget.  All day I watched her push her walker around the house, talking under her breath. I heard phrases like “I'm not wanted here," “unconcerned about me”, “thinks only about themselves.”  I knew what was going on, she was sulking that no one had acknowledged her birthday.

  So I e-mailed my mother at work and told her that Gran was acting like a child because she turned 93 and no one had noticed. I was so relieved when mom brought an orchid home and a bouquet of  flowers for her, too. The change in Granny was almost comical.   She loves the center stage!  Well, at least Granny was happy now, and we all got  some peace. . . . for a while.

She is the most spoiled ninety-three year old I know....! Not to mention, the only one.