![[Under Construction]](images/undercon.gif)
WHO AM I?
by
Sheila T. Brann
WHO AM I?
I’m a nurse.
I’m a caregiver.
I’m a wife.
I’m a mother.
I’m a businesswoman.
I’m a sister.
I’m a daughter.
I’m a friend.
BUT … WHO AM I?
I’m a maid.
I’m a housekeeper.
I’m chief cook and bottle washer.
I’m a chauffeur.
I’m an errand boy.
I’m a personal secretary keeping appointments.
BUT … WHO AM I?
Where did Sheila go?
Where is that well-groomed person?
Where is that well-manicured woman?
Where is that hard-driven, energetic girl?
I don’t know. She’s gone.
BUT … WHO AM I?
All I see is a person who gets a shower, if she’s lucky, 2x per week.
No massages.
No manicures.
No pedicures.
No personal trainers.
No vacations.
No fun.
No smiles.
No love.
No thanks.
IS ALL THIS WORTH IT?
Sometimes I wonder.
The bible says to take care of the widows.
So, I’m fulfilling my destiny.
Little did I know at the time that I was accepting such a difficult journey.
BUT … WHO AM I?
I’m the only daughter out of four who loves her mother.
I’m the only daughter willing to see her Mom deteriorate from the ravages of dementia day in and day out.
I’m the only daughter who wants to keep her mom out of a home for as long as possible.
I’m the only daughter willing to clean up vomit, urine, and excrement.
I’m the only daughter willing to give her mom B-12 shots.
I’m the only daughter willing to bathe her mother.
I’m the only daughter willing to dress her mother.
I’m the only daughter willing to feed her mother.
I’m the only daughter willing to give her mother comfort.
I’m the only daughter willing to dress her wounds.
I’m the only daughter who wants to give her mother the best during the last days of her life.
THAT’S WHO I AM!
*******
Sheila can be reached at sbrann@kiwi-comm.com or view the KIWI website at www.kiwi-comm.com for more inspiration.