Sometimes you talk, sometimes you don’t,
sometimes you want to but can’t.
You watch the numbers on all the
machines that are supporting her life,
you note them and compare them
to the numbers from the day before,
the week before and
the month before.
You wash her face, lubricate her lips
and wait for the few precious seconds
she opens her eyes
and wonder if it’s just a reflex
or a reaction to your voice. You
lotion up her hands and feet
then rotate them and stretch out her fingers.
You leave the room after the 30 minute
visiting time and wait for the next visit.
_________________________________________
Shared on dVerse Poets Pub.
Charlotte Hamrick 
Are you writing from experience? Probably so. Wish you peace.
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Charlotte, I hope this isn’t an autobiographical account of your life at this moment. It is quite vivid and I can feel such sorrow in it.
Take good care,
Pamela
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Thank you both – your words mean so much. Yes, it’s my mom who’s been in surgical ICU for 8 weeks now. Please keep her in your thoughts. xo
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Very accurate regarding the small, daily ministrations of caring for a loved one. Good thoughts for you and your mom …
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Thank you, Marilyn.
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oh my..that brought tears to my eyes…so sorry to hear about your mom…will keep her in my thoughts as well..and hope that she will soon be better…but sure she feels that you’re there with those little acts of love like lotioning up her hands and that it’s not just reflex..
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oy you nailed the feelings in this one…and the helplessness i felt in the passing of my MIL perfectly…so sad…and we do what we can you know…deeply felt…
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Quietly powerful – you and Mom will be in my prayers.
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the straightforward language of this shows all the emotion in the world. my thoughts go out to you and your family.
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Big thanks to you all.
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Sorry about your mom, so sad. Prayers sent your way.
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Sending prayers to you and your mom.
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