I grew up with 3 sisters and always wished I had a brother – someone I could learn about the mysteries of boys/men, someone I could count on to help when needed, someone strong, honest, and companiable. I do have a brother – 20 years younger than me. He lives in Alabama and has his own full and complicated life. Therefore, I was glad for the brotherly help and support Mer had for his sisters, Hazel, Norene, and Crystal.
Two of his sisters never married. Norene has advanced Parkinson’s and Hazel was her principle caretaker. It became more difficult over the years until Norene ended up in the hospital – twice, the last time near death. Fortunately, she rallied. Norene was placed on hospice and transferred to a nursing facility for 2 weeks, quarantined. She would not be able to come home again. Hazel felt guilt about that but between us and medical council she came to the peace that Norene would be better cared for there. We could not visit her but parked in the back, crossed the lawn and went through the bushy landscaping to talk to her from her bed by the window.
Hazel was overwhelmed. We helped her with the planning of Norene’s funeral and burial so when the time came it would be easier with everything in place. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Mer helped her choose the casket, the service, and all the details the funeral director suggested. He would take care of the rest when the time came. Angie at the Nursing home guided us regarding the financial aspects of Norene’s care and suggested around the clock pain medicine. Since Norene needed to keep her assets below $2000 we used them to buy the burial plot, and the headstone. The guy at the monument place was relaxed understanding what it was like for Hazel being the caretaker as he is the caretaker for his wife. He helped us choose the granite and the size of the monument and with a straight edge drew the monument, the cross we wanted, his very precise lettering, Beloved Sister, her name and birthdate and her favorite Bible verse “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” He knew Proverbs 3:5 and 6. He knew the Old Testament very well – I didn’t recognize the name of his denomination, but he worships Jehovah and understands Jesus, His son and our savior. That and the quality of his work was a comfort to us.
Mer also balanced their checkbooks and made up a 4-month schedule of the payments Norene needs paid and when. A tremendous help. Since Hazel had given up her bigger room with bathroom for taking care of Norene, Mer helped carry out and rearrange the bedrooms and living room taking some things to her shed and others to the local mission.
Finally, when off quarantine, Norene will be placed in the nursing home where her old roommate and friend is. That is happiness for both of them. It was good for Mer and me to be there then and for Mer’s brotherly loving strength and steady help in his sisters’ time of need.
Two of his sisters never married. Norene has advanced Parkinson’s and Hazel was her principle caretaker. It became more difficult over the years until Norene ended up in the hospital – twice, the last time near death. Fortunately, she rallied. Norene was placed on hospice and transferred to a nursing facility for 2 weeks, quarantined. She would not be able to come home again. Hazel felt guilt about that but between us and medical council she came to the peace that Norene would be better cared for there. We could not visit her but parked in the back, crossed the lawn and went through the bushy landscaping to talk to her from her bed by the window.
Hazel was overwhelmed. We helped her with the planning of Norene’s funeral and burial so when the time came it would be easier with everything in place. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Mer helped her choose the casket, the service, and all the details the funeral director suggested. He would take care of the rest when the time came. Angie at the Nursing home guided us regarding the financial aspects of Norene’s care and suggested around the clock pain medicine. Since Norene needed to keep her assets below $2000 we used them to buy the burial plot, and the headstone. The guy at the monument place was relaxed understanding what it was like for Hazel being the caretaker as he is the caretaker for his wife. He helped us choose the granite and the size of the monument and with a straight edge drew the monument, the cross we wanted, his very precise lettering, Beloved Sister, her name and birthdate and her favorite Bible verse “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” He knew Proverbs 3:5 and 6. He knew the Old Testament very well – I didn’t recognize the name of his denomination, but he worships Jehovah and understands Jesus, His son and our savior. That and the quality of his work was a comfort to us.
Mer also balanced their checkbooks and made up a 4-month schedule of the payments Norene needs paid and when. A tremendous help. Since Hazel had given up her bigger room with bathroom for taking care of Norene, Mer helped carry out and rearrange the bedrooms and living room taking some things to her shed and others to the local mission.
Finally, when off quarantine, Norene will be placed in the nursing home where her old roommate and friend is. That is happiness for both of them. It was good for Mer and me to be there then and for Mer’s brotherly loving strength and steady help in his sisters’ time of need.