A Lifetime of Memories
This year, my father's sister, Gail, passed away at the age of 83 after spending her final years at Aspire, a rehabilitation and nursing facility. For the years she was there, my sister, Anne, and I made it a point to visit her regularly on Fridays after lunch. If we happened to visit on another day, she would inquire if it was already Friday. During these visits, we also encountered other residents; some were absorbed in their own thoughts, merely smiling and maybe acknowledging us, while others became familiar acquaintances with whom we looked forward to connecting during our time there.
After Gail passed away, our visits had been infrequent until today. Anne and I had some time before lunch and decided to visit our friends we had met there. As we walked down the hallway, we spotted sweet Peggy. Her warm smile greeted us as she recognized us coming down the hall toward her. An avid puzzle enthusiast, she typically sits by the large picture window outside her room, enjoying the natural light while working on puzzles with a friend. Today, she appeared particularly happy and she looked lovely. She was adorned with elegant bracelets and a new wig; she mentioned that she used to wear wigs regularly. We complimented her on her new hairstyle, and she beamed with pride.
She invited us to view her room, which was filled with many new items. The space resembled a small apartment bedroom, showcasing all her cherished belongings. She explained that her family had recently assisted her in clearing out her storage unit, allowing her to bring as much as possible into her room there. The walls were filled with pictures, meticulously arranged in groups. She eagerly showed us the few pictures we had gifted her, originally belonging to Gail, which were prominently displayed in the center.
A devoted Elvis fan, she quickly pointed out several new items celebrating him. Additionally, her dresser featured an extensive collection of gold bangle bracelets, and she reiterated again, her passion for jewelry.
Peggy recounted the emotional difficulty of sorting through her belongings in the storage unit, as each item symbolized significant moments in her life. Her eyes glistened with tears as she reminisced about her exquisite china and silverware, cherished pieces she had gathered over the years. She shared fond memories of using her fine china during family gatherings, yet now faced the reality of having no space for it and no one to appreciate it, leading her to part with these treasures.
Hearing this broke my heart, prompting me to express, "Oh, Peggy, I would have gladly taken it." While I do not need more china, the thought of it’s loss was so sad to me.
We finished our visit with Peggy and said our goodbyes as we walked her out to the common room to join her friends in a game of dominos.
This year's significant birthday for me has sparked a renewed motivation to declutter and reassess my collection of belongings. Although I have expressed this intention in the past, it has increasingly occupied my thoughts lately. After years of accumulation, I have come to understand that if an item no longer brings me joy, it may be time to reconsider its place in my life. While my efforts this summer marked a positive beginning, they merely scratched the surface of what needs to be addressed. There is always tomorrow, right?
Following our visit today, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to spend a few moments with our friend. I loved hearing a portion of her life story and was reminded that while material possessions may come and go, the memories we create endure indefinitely.
