Chapter 1: The Journey of Care

As my father aged, he became increasingly unstable on his feet. Despite my encouragement, he refused to use a walking stick or walker, opting instead to lean against the nearest wall for support while navigating stairs, leaving behind unsightly handprints.

My wife often expressed her frustration about the stained walls. "Why don't you tell Dad to avoid touching the walls? Even if we repaint, he'll just dirty them again," she would say.

One afternoon, my father, feeling under the weather, applied coconut oil to soothe his headache. Without washing his hands, he made his way down the stairs, leaving a trail of greasy streaks along the wall. My wife's outburst upon seeing this prompted me to confront my father.

"I've told you not to lean on the walls! Why can't you follow such a simple request? If you need help, use a walking stick!"

He remained silent, visibly hurt. From that moment, he refrained from touching the walls, but I felt a deep sense of shame for my harsh words.

One day, Dad lost his balance at the top of the stairs and tumbled down. Thankfully, he wasn't injured, but this incident shattered his confidence in walking unassisted. Consequently, he became reliant on a wheelchair. We relocated his bed to a ground-floor room to eliminate the need for stairs, but he refused to walk, becoming increasingly bedridden until he eventually passed away.

The guilt weighed heavily on me. I often replayed his expression in my mind, struggling to forgive myself for his quick decline.

Years later, we decided to repaint our home. When the painters arrived, my son, who adored his grandfather, insisted they leave his handprints untouched. The painters creatively assured him they would encircle the prints, transforming them into a unique decorative feature.

Visitors to our home admired this artistic addition, which served as a lasting tribute to my father's presence.

As time passed, I too grew older and began to rely on walls for support. One day, while attempting to walk without assistance, I remembered my admonitions to my father. My son, noticing my struggle, urged me to lean on the walls, concerned I might fall. In that moment, I recognized the care he was offering.

My granddaughter approached and suggested I rest my hand on her shoulder for support. Overwhelmed with emotion, I realized that had I shown the same compassion to my father, he might have lived longer.

Chapter 2: Lessons in Care

The first video, "Caring for our elders: When less is more" by Amy Cameron O'Rourke, emphasizes the importance of thoughtful care for the elderly, illustrating how simplicity can lead to profound impacts on their lives.

The second video, "How Should We Care? | Elder Care and Aging in Kansas City," is a documentary that explores various approaches to elder care, highlighting the significance of compassion and understanding in the process.

For more inspiring stories, consider joining my email list. Until next time, take care!