even more so than her own birthday. Mom is 94 years old - or young, however you want to refer to age. She’s been going to Mass on the first day of Lent for probably that long. So when she called me very early this morning in a panic and in tears, wondering how she was going to get to church today and if I was going, and did I think any of the other “kids” were going (referring to my 7 other siblings who are mostly all senior citizens themselves) I understood immediately.
She can forget what day of the week it is, names of grandchildren or great-grandchildren, what she ate for breakfast or 10 minutes ago and who’s married to whom, but when something triggered her brain at 7:30am this morning about this being Ash Wednesday, she called me because she knew where she needed to be at 8:00 am. Fortunately, it all worked out as there was also a noon Mass and the 6pm Mass that we did eventually attend. It was a stressful day for sure, she kept forgetting that we had it all arranged and she would (for sure) be attending. She took a nap in the afternoon and called again in a panic thinking I had forgotten to take her. Not being able to remember and KNOWING that you can’t remember is the same thing as PANIC on steroids for many elderlies who have to live with this condition.
We made it to Mass in the bitter cold evening, she received the ashes signed in the form of a cross on her forehead to remind her - for maybe the 94th time - that she “is dust and unto dust" she will return. And so, she was comforted and at peace once again, if only for a few moments.
When we left the church building, she wondered why it was dark outside and thought it was Sunday morning after Mass as she noticed all the faces of the familiar gang of wellwishers. Somehow, we made the ride home trying to smooth out the wrinkles of her confusion and finally distracting her attention to a brilliant night sky of stars, a bright sliver of a crescent moon and the flashy planet Venus not far from the moon. The very same "sliver" of moon was up there just last week, she noted. We agreed that it was. The always familiar night sky she has known for nearly a century seemed to bring her comfort. Nature and the night sky don’t change. Change brings panic or at the least, confusion and discomfort.
Once at home, she still seemed distracted and a bit edgy. Carly the dog was allowed in because “it was too cold outside for her”. That also brings comfort, for the dog as well as the human. And then the focus is on getting the dog something to eat. This settles the nerves because she is once again useful – at least for Carly. And while that was taking place, I commenced to making her a cup of hot tea. There is just no other remedy so promising of peace as a nice hot cup of tea, steam and all. The hotter the better for the Irish; for o' she is.
And so, ends another Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent. Whether she remembers not to forget (Lent) for the next 39 days until Easter is really not important. Her own crown surely awaits her pending arrival as a good and faithful servent. What is important is how many times during this Lenten season we can all be aware of the many mental, physical or spiritual issues people all around us have, if we care to notice, and what we can do to bring just one small piece of comfort to any part of someone's day.
My challenge this Lent for sure!
~ Gwen of IRISH ACRES
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