THE STATE OF THE ELDERLY

I remember when my parents
took grandma into their care,
without a second thought my mom
said stay with us our lives we’ll share.

It worked out so beautifully
grandma never did complain,
when we kids got too rambunctious
mom tried to keep us tame.

Grandma knew from her experience
just how kids were supposed to be,
so she understood when we were noisy
I think it kept her young you see.

She was gentle, meek and quiet
I remember not her voice,
all I know is that she spoke in French
the language of her choice.

When she began to slip away
mom took extra special care,
her every wish was granted
time for grandma always there.

Mom spoiled her with her many talents
one of which was baking homemade bread,
she’d eat no other but my mother’s
with this manna only she’d be daily fed.

Mom’s meals were always done with love
though not of the richest fare,
but she made it taste like Cordon Blue
for this she had a special flare.

Today they have these nursing homes
where when you come of age,
you’re given a room and little space
to pass your final days.

It seems the family has no time
as in the by gone days,
they’re busy earning money
for their luxuries to pay.

Now our elderly pay the price
loneliness their daily wage,
of living in today’s society
it’s no longer ‘the golden age’.

When we neglect these precious gems
God’s children one and all,
we neglect the Lord in all His Glory
on our heads justice will fall.

Margaret Rose Larrivee
Apr. 16, 2007