Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
My mom died this morning.
I moved back home almost 7 years ago to take care of her.
She became a widow early in life, back in 1972 with 7 kids were young enough to still be living at home.
A few years later her dad died and her mom moved in with us. I saw my mom take care of her mom while she was a widow with 7 kids.
Unbelievable conviction.
She was one of those people that everyone loved.
Gatherings were epic at her home, especially the holidays.
About 10 years ago when I was home for Christmas, I noticed how old she was getting. As she was dropping me off at the airport, I grabbed her and looked deep into her eyes and told her that if she ever needed me that I would drop everything and come back home to take care of her.
When I heard she was in trouble I quit my job, gave up my apartment, got rid of all of my possessions that couldn't fit in my car, and drove across the country and got in late, she was in a recovery center after nearly dying from an infection.
Everyone told me that mom had been waiting for me, I was tired by went and as I came into the room she perked up and we made eye contact. Same look we shared when I told her years before that I would be there for her.
She lost a leg to the infection and was wheelchair bound. Had many other ailments and then a stroke.
I became her arms and legs, fed and bathed her, we were basically one person.
I began taking her for walks, first around the block, then a few blocks to the library, then further and further till we began taking walks to the beach in the next town, a fifteen-mile round trip. People would see us and smile, wave, tell us that we were their hero's, come out of their homes to tell us how much seeing us meant to them.
I realized having others see us had meaning.
We took that walk for the last time in November.
We went for a small walk two days ago to the lake.
Taking care of my mom was the best job I ever had.
If you ever get the privilege of taking care of your loved ones, jump at the opportunity.
I moved back home almost 7 years ago to take care of her.
She became a widow early in life, back in 1972 with 7 kids were young enough to still be living at home.
A few years later her dad died and her mom moved in with us. I saw my mom take care of her mom while she was a widow with 7 kids.
Unbelievable conviction.
She was one of those people that everyone loved.
Gatherings were epic at her home, especially the holidays.
About 10 years ago when I was home for Christmas, I noticed how old she was getting. As she was dropping me off at the airport, I grabbed her and looked deep into her eyes and told her that if she ever needed me that I would drop everything and come back home to take care of her.
When I heard she was in trouble I quit my job, gave up my apartment, got rid of all of my possessions that couldn't fit in my car, and drove across the country and got in late, she was in a recovery center after nearly dying from an infection.
Everyone told me that mom had been waiting for me, I was tired by went and as I came into the room she perked up and we made eye contact. Same look we shared when I told her years before that I would be there for her.
She lost a leg to the infection and was wheelchair bound. Had many other ailments and then a stroke.
I became her arms and legs, fed and bathed her, we were basically one person.
I began taking her for walks, first around the block, then a few blocks to the library, then further and further till we began taking walks to the beach in the next town, a fifteen-mile round trip. People would see us and smile, wave, tell us that we were their hero's, come out of their homes to tell us how much seeing us meant to them.
I realized having others see us had meaning.
We took that walk for the last time in November.
We went for a small walk two days ago to the lake.
Taking care of my mom was the best job I ever had.
If you ever get the privilege of taking care of your loved ones, jump at the opportunity.