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A Family of Strength

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For My Mother and My Dayghter 9/23/2023 I whispered, “ Mom, I’ll take you home.! No nursing home halls will you walk, all alone. Your bedroom, at my house is bright and all ready. And to care for you, Mom, my hand is steady!” Elena, my daughter, an Angel in disguise. Played an equal part, young, but very wise! I recall the fear when Mom’s heart stopped! I jumped on her bed, began CPR non- stop! Elena, at the same time ,called the paramedics . I kept working on Mom, I felt I needed a strong anesthetic. They shared, it was me, not they, who saved her life… “Most people usually stand there and don’t do thing!” So if you do not know CPR, please take a course. One need not be old for their heart to suddenly stop. Instead of writing poetry or prose all day? Learn CPR, don’t let a friend or relative pass away. My Mom lived for eight more great and full years~ For that! I am most grateful, yet I miss her still. With tears. Dedicated to my Daughter, Elena, and to my late Mother. We always watched out for, and cared deeply for each other!

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Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/24/2023 2:31:00 AM

A great tribute to your mother, God bless you. Your poem comes from the heart and deserves great praise. Would all praise their mothers and never abandon them in times of peril. Hugs.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/24/2023 2:21:00 PM

Victor, coming from the older generation, I think you understand how we cherish our older relatives…..these days there is a push in hospitals to have your parent killed by not feeding them. I think you know me well enough to even guess what I said to them! All this assisted suicide, I call it murder. Our parents, after all, gave us life and cared for us. And the current thinking is get rid of them as soon as possible? sorry, I have no connection to that kind of thinking. Children owe parents. God gave them to us. My grandfather lived with us till the day he died. The nursing home business is big bucks. That’s about it I will probably die at my daughters home one day. Because Elena said she will never put me in a nursing home. And she’s already had experience taking care of my mother.. what goes around comes around. Hugs, Pangie xx

Ink Empress

Date: 9/23/2023 9:06:00 PM

Heartfelt tribute this is and a very important message you’ve passed on here. You are right, we need to learn CPR, and theres no age for health related scares. One can always be prepared. I felt this poem and cant help but think of how scary such situations would be. Most people yes stand there not knowing what to do or how to react but you were quick. Bless you, and your daughter too: sending you light today and always. May your Mothers soul rest in peace and love

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/24/2023 2:12:00 PM

INK~ apologies for late response.troubles with iPad last night. CPR is not difficult like it was a long time ago. You can even look online to see how to do it.. but I think it best if one has a course in it. We just don’t know when something will happen. to our friends our loved ones. And we are in fact, the first responders.. there is no fear …there is only a purpose, to save your friend or a loved one. I hope everyone here understands that they have the life of the person next to them in their hands, if something happens., heaven forbid. But we have more strength than we think. When my mother passed away I have never seen such a beauty.and peace. I think I responded earlier or skin was literally glowing. She wasn’t pale. and even her hair had a golden light in it, Sad as the moment was, I will cherish that memory forever. Love …Pangie xx

The Situation

Date: 9/23/2023 3:42:00 PM

I visit the nursing home 5 days a week. Mom walking away would be to risky. Recantly I wrote a piece about someone who lost someone who walked away.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/23/2023 5:07:00 PM

Bless you five times over. Even inside the home is risky, I saw them give a woman a cigarette,light it and leave her at the lunch table, she fell as Rep with her face in the food and the cigarette burning. I put it out and called nurses for help. I had a painting fall on my head while visiting, guess what! They blamed me,?and I’d find people who could feed themselves?I wonder how long they lived! I called theOmbuddman. They come in later and they say “oh you weren’t hungry” well you tell me how are you can eat if you can’t use your hands. I saw-nobody walk away ever because a nursing home would lose too much money that way. To me they money hungry creeps! And I have worse stories. OneI visited was exceptionally good and quite pricey! I think they differ.whenI wanted to take Mom home. They board there said.. I can’t!.I said one word. WATCh! I was so glad she was home, she was in recovering from a broken ankle. Mom hated that home. So did I ..Pangie xx

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 9/23/2023 12:26:00 PM

What a heartfelt poem and remembrance dedicated to both your mom and your dad. I'm glad you knew CPR and had your mom for 8 more years afterwards. What a blessing. I lost my mother in 2004. I miss her still, but I see her in little things every day and feel her presence in the words I write. Thank you for sharing such a touching story. Blessings to you and yours, Sara

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/23/2023 1:58:00 PM

Sara, Elena is my daughter! My Dad died years before Mom. I always think of my Mom.She had time for people, even though she worked 12 hour days,and she should have been an interior decorator.She had an eye for the beautiful! And was a crafter for holidays. I still have some of her furniture, and will take it to Tennessee when we leave CA.she’s always in my heart.as you shared about your Mom in yours!I also have her wedding dress from 1936. She was tall and thin, but I wont part with that dress. Sorry your Mom is gone. My Moms hands never looked that wrinkled. Neither she nor I had facial wrinkles. Hurrah. We both liked to have fun. Wonderful to see you.and getting to know you…thank you Pangie xx

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 9/23/2023 11:23:00 AM

Hello panagiota, a lovely tribute to your mom. Hugs /Darlene\ xxxx-

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 9/23/2023 3:13:00 PM

Hello Panagiota, Yes of course it is for both Elena and your mom. You both treated her well. You both spent time with her. It is amazing how they look when they die. You are welcome. Hugs /Darlene\ xxx

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/23/2023 11:37:00 AM

Heel, Darlene. It was actually. For them both. Mom and Elena. I could not have dome it without her, Thinking back, no kidding I don’t know how we did it all we did. But we prayed and made it through and I remember when my did die, how very beautiful she looked. She transformed in front of my eyes and to a younger woman.. I have never seen anything like that in my life. I’ve never seen such peace on a persons face like I saw she looked younger than me. That was transformation.. thank you for taking time to comment today and being my friend for so many years, Pangie xx

David Fisher

Date: 9/23/2023 6:31:00 AM

This is so touching, and with such a joyful last two lines...didn't expect a dedication to rhyme, but it all came together so well. Great CPR advice too. I haven't taken a course since the mid '80s.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/23/2023 7:34:00 AM

David, I have written tributes here…they all rhyme. Same for dedications.. cPR ,,,,is not hard to learn… You know CPR, thars good, I doubt it’s changed.To save a lilife? Is awesome…..I am glad you got the message.,, thanks, David, Pangie xx

Elena Eagle

Date: 9/22/2023 8:00:00 PM

A loving tribute to your Mom. So wonderful you would share with us. I agree everyone should learn CPR.

Panagiota Romios
Date: 9/22/2023 8:25:00 PM

You need to take credit, Elena! You stopped college for an entire year. And all the runs for medical supplies! We were like a MASH UNIT! Plus we had four cats on board. Thank you for being so caring. Grandma required 24/7 care. She thought the world of you)) Love, Mom