Lonely Old Folks
“You are a good Muslim”, she said last night.
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Since last Thursday, I was in Penang to visit my grandparents who are not well. Grandma’s foot hasn’t indicate any sign of recovery. She has diabetes. Grandpa who fell and fractured his leg is still in pain whenever he moves his right leg. He is unable to walk around - almost bedridden.
When I arrived on Thursday night, my aunt’s friend was helpful to show me the roads to the general hospital and the nursing home. It was a crash course on a few roads in Penang. Compared to roads in KL, it wasn’t difficult to familiarize myself with Macalister Road, Anson Road, Logan Road and Greenlane.
For the past one week, I was running around with the Small Little Kancil to get things they need - from adult diapers, newspaper, fruits etc etc. On the first day I saw them, they were extremely excited that I came all the way from KL. No, they didn’t know I was coming. It was a decision I made the morning grandma was admitted to GH.
Never in my life I visit a hospital and nursing home so often. When I arrived at the home last Friday, I saw an elder lady looking out of the window upstairs. She must have thought her relative is coming to visit her. When I entered the home, all eyes were on me. This keep recurring despite my visit every single day for the past one week. I realize how lonely and boring it can be at the hospital or the nursing home. Every new day is the same and there is nothing much to look forward to. It can be quite depressing…
I just didn’t know how to feel. I feel sorry for them who rarely have their children visiting them. During my daily visit, I only saw one visitor and I think that was on a weekend.
As we didn’t have a choice, we had to admit grandpa temporarily at the nursing home. An uncle who lives with them is out working during the day and comes home late. So there isn’t anyone to be at home to attend to them in case of accidents. It will be bad if it grandpa falls again when nobody is at home.
Somehow I felt God has his plans..from the day I quit my job till now. There are a few deals I need to seal and deliver within the next one month. I pray all things go well. Amin.
Everything happens for a reason, my dear friend. Yup..true enuff, if u’ve been working i doubt u’d have been able to take such a ‘long leave’ & spend time wif grandparents. I hope both ur grandparents recover soon & ur grandpa will be able to come back home - it is nvr the same to be “nursinghome”-bound
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