Anniversaries
Today marks the 4th anniversary of my mother's passing. My niece and sisters wrote beautiful tributes on Facebook, and we all remember mom in our own special ways. Mom passed away during the COVID pandemic, and the last few months were filled with anxiety about contagion and unpredictability about the future.
I think back to that time of uncertainty and her passing and wonder how we managed to keep it together. Work was remote and that allowed for some flexibility in caring for her as she had moved in right down the driveway into a little mobile home that was fixed up just for her.
In the spring of 2020, as she started to decline and hospice care was imminent, her walks down the driveway became less frequent. She wanted something to help make getting out of the house a little easier. Specifically, she wanted wheels. Something moderately cooler than a mobility scooter and less zippy than a Lamborghini. Since her vision was poor and she honestly was never a great driver, I hadn't put it at the top of my priority list.
She however had mentioned it enough times to my husband that he put it at the top of his! Once he was on board the other boys started to search every Facebook listing and for sale site they could to hook Nana up with some wheels. It didn’t take very long and a slightly abused Packer green and yellow golf cart was wheeled up the drive way!
Mom was never one to do anything small. She was gregarious and lovely, and sometimes difficult to be with. In every aspect of her life, she presented the biggest and brightest version of herself. On this particular day, she decided that the golf cart, which was going to be painted anyway, should be painted to look like a ladybug.
That one wish to have a Lady Bug golf cart set the wheels in motion for a feverish golf cart revitalization project. It was dismantled, sanded, primed, primped and painted. Spots were ordered, personalized license plates appeared, antenna were fashioned and lastly eye lashes applied.
She was so enormously happy she drove and made endless laps in our drive and hers with her oxygen tank strapped on the back. Grandkids and great-grandkids took turns driving and letting Nana drive (for those brave enough). She loved that Ladybug Golf cart. She and a particularly spunky Cousin almost ran out of gas on one adventure out of bounds. We may have broken a few of the social distancing protocols near the end, but it was worth it!
It didn’t take much to bring that happiness to her in those last few months. It wasn’t really the golf cart that did it. It was the freedom it provided and the love she felt from those who cared for her.
Life can change in an instant. I am so glad we were able to help mom in her passing. It was difficult and exhausting and one of the best hardest things I have ever done in my life.
When you have a few minutes in your day look for something special to do for someone. Hold a door, give a compliment, offer a smile it may just be their Lady Bug Golf Cart moment!