MasterCard’s “priceless” commercials have been tugging
at our heart strings for nearly two decades now. And why not? The immeasurable worth
of relationships is a timeless truth that appeals to young and old
alike.
As a caregiver I witness more than my fair share of
priceless moments. Loving hand squeezes, forehead kisses, laughter and tears
comingled in a desperate attempt to hang on to a life that’s slipping away… I
may not be at the top of any corporate ladder or pay scale, but OH! the benefits
of what I do - are PRICELESS.
In 2013 I had the privilege of looking after a married
couple in their nineties. Both widowed, they met and married while in their
sixties, never imagining their second marriages would outlast their first. I always
looked forward to their nightly ritual when they blew kisses to each other from
across the room, and then I’d turn out the lights.
His & Her bedside commodes and twin beds replaced
their queen sized bed and stylish furniture. Not exactly the American dream for
retirement, but their modest kitchen afforded them the simple pleasure of dining
together while enjoying a beautiful backyard view.
I’ll never forget the day Mildred shared one of her
dearest desires with me. It was something she hoped would happen sometime before
she died. I’m almost afraid to write about it, for fear of corrupting its’
purity.
What she wanted, I dare say, longed for, just once…was a really good kiss from her dear husband Nelson.
Aww! I know, right? J
Her innocent confession hung in the air like the sweet
scent of lilacs in May. And oh how I wish I could say I quietly soaked it all in
and simply nodded in respectful admiration. I should have kept my mouth shut and
smiled, but no, the doer in me wanted to set things in motion. To clear the way
for her wish to come true...so I promised to get on him about
brushing his teeth more often and make sure he mowed down some of those
whiskers he kept missing when he shaved in the morning. Hmm, I even thought
perhaps I should light some candles at dinner, you know, to help set the mood? Yep,
I’m ashamed to admit it, but I wanted to be the one to make sure Mildred’s lovely
wish came true.
Fortunately for them, she set me straight and don’t think she didn’t! She thought he was just fine the way he was: whiskers,
bad breath, and all. So I stayed out of the way, and watched and waited. Months
passed and sure enough, one cold, dreary February morning, Nelson came
clunking along behind his walker into the kitchen like he always did. But this
time he stopped next to where Mildred was sitting at the table. He pressed his
hand flat on top of hers and she looked up at him, the man of her dreams. He
said, in his breathy hoarse voice, “May I have a kiss?”
I stepped back and held my breath, not wanting to spoil the moment. She smiled, and giggled, and said shyly, “Of course.” And right then and
there folks, I witnessed her dream coming true. Better than any chick flick, or
fairy tale, or romance novel; they kissed!
He lingered for a
moment and then, without a word, he clunked along with his walker until he
plopped down in the chair where he always sat, right across from his beloved Mildred,
every single day since they’d declared their “I dos.”
Yep. The pay I receive for being a caregiver – is PRICELESS.
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