Family Ties

Posted Feb 20, 2014 by PHC | Uncategorized

In the world of home health care we often care for elderly patients who now, in their twilight years, have a unique insight on life. Many patients enjoy reminiscing about their families; sharing stories of the joys and struggles of raising children. Whenever I hear a patient talk about their children or grandchildren, and I see their faces light up, I can’t help but think of this poem that I read many years ago. Whether you are a health care professional or not, I think it is very important to take a few moments and read this poem. Patience is truly a virtue and it is something we should keep in mind when caring for our patients, our children and our parents. Enjoy!

 

To My Children

When I spill some food on my nice clean dress
Or maybe forget to tie my shoe,
Please be patient and perhaps reminisce
About the many hours I spent with you.
When I taught you how to eat with care,
Plus tying laces and your numbers, too,
Dressing yourself and combing your hair,
Those were precious hours spent with you.
So when I forget what I was about to say,
Just give me a minute — or maybe two.
It probably wasn’t important anyway,
And I would much rather listen just to you.
If I tell the story one more time,
And you know the ending through and through,
Please remember your first nursery rhyme
When I rehearsed it a hundred times with you.
When my legs are tired and it’s hard to stand
Or walk the steady pace that I would like to do,
Please take me carefully by my hand,
And guide me now as I so often did for you.

              – Anonymous