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What Are We Going To Do With Mum

A phone call at night from someone in tears. It is my sister I ain’t seen for years. We’ve got a problem we hoped wouldn’t come, so what are we going, to do with Mum? Around a table the facts were laid down, Mum can no longer cope with no one around, then a cold hearted answer is given to me, like following ‘Judas’ and that shouldn’t be. So what are we going to do with Mum? She’s got so old and now has become, a burden to all, and a nuisance to some, so what are we going, to do with Mum? Many agendas, were put to the fore, without a minute for Mum any more. Time is too precious; it takes up the week, so I took the floor, asking to speak. Remember the love she gave when we fell. Remember who listened with something to tell. Remember whose loyalty never would bend. Remember the days when we needed a friend. So what are we going to do with Mum? She’s got so old and now has become, a burden to all, and a nuisance to some, so what are we going, to do with Mum?

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Pj Gongora

Date: 4/2/2019 8:04:00 PM

Gives me nostalgia. I remember the days when my mom took care of me. Mother's love is pure. This is beautiful. =)

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 4/4/2019 6:05:00 PM

G'day PJ … thank you for your kind comment. In this age of rush and tear, many forget about who got them there and need assistance. There is no greater loss than the loss of a mother. That's when a conscience is pricked - thanks PJ - Lindsay

John Lawless

Date: 3/2/2019 9:37:00 AM

I like the implication of the fifth stanza.. What would we have done WITHOUT mom. My wife and I are in our 70's and still care for our two youngest grandchildren several afternoons a week...theres nothing like hearing a 4 year old shout "C'MON PAPA"

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 3/8/2019 10:39:00 PM

G'day John ... everything today is a rush and I've seen so many lonely elderly folk in aged care who are forgotten by families and it is very sad indeed. The sound of a child's voice can mean the world - thank you John - Lindsay

Susan Jeavons

Date: 2/17/2019 10:47:00 AM

Wow Lindsay. This really touched me. I am almost 70 and disabled. I live with my youngest daughter. I sometimes feel like a burden, but not for long. I would hope no Mom or Dad ever feels like a burden to their children. Blessings, Susan

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/22/2019 5:11:00 PM

G'day Susan … you should never feel like a burden Susan. It's the put aside past that needs to be jolted to remind the sacrifice a Mother makes and always will - thank you Susan - Lindsay

Robert L. Hinshaw

Date: 2/15/2019 6:11:00 PM

Lindsay, sorry to hear of your mum's condition. It sure creates a dilemma for loved ones. My wife passed, as you may know this past July with Parkinsons. It was tuff tending to her needs but I didn't want her in nursing home (about 5-6000 bucks a month) and she didn't want that either. She passed peacefully in our home that we have lived in for 50 years and I know that is the way she wanted it. Re the house on fire write. The last 2 lines indicated I would save my arse!

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/15/2019 11:49:00 PM

Hello Bob … it's not me Bob. My Mum passed away a very long time ago, but being a writer you hear about these situations so we use the power of words to remind readers that things happen that shouldn't - thanks again Bob - Lindsay

Charles Messina

Date: 2/12/2019 9:35:00 PM

G'day Lindsay. This is such a tear jerker as we say here in the states. Many of us face this with our parents and grandparents. It's a hard thing to swallow knowing that the loved ones that took care of us our entire lives have turned into somewhat burdens because of certain situations. None of want to be a burden as we grow old. Helpless we are, but lucky to get to that point. We always say "If I coulda Woulda shoulda" before it's too late. ~blessings mate -Charlie

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/15/2019 11:45:00 PM

Hello Charles … Mothers sacrifice a lot for their children and should never end up being a burden, but this crazy world has turned into a self indulgent society with families scattered all over the world - thank you Charles - Lindsay

Jerry T Curtis

Date: 2/9/2019 6:43:00 PM

Hi My friend, I hope this is not the situation, but if that's is where you find yourself in life, deal with it like the man I know you are. Our Moms where strong (or just stubborn) enough to take care and love us in their own way, Can We be strong (stubborn) enough to take care of them? It's not a burden Mate, It's a blessing of a debt you can never repay and a debt you will love ever owing . God Bless

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/15/2019 11:41:00 PM

G'day Jerry … this verse is based on outside observance and hearing about the burden Mum has become to some family. Thank God this wasn't us - catch you Jerry - Lindsay

Michael Wise

Date: 2/8/2019 6:31:00 PM

This hit me hard, since I lost my mum in 2006. No greater person in this world than one's mum. :)

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/15/2019 11:38:00 PM

G'day Michael … you can't quite fathom how great Mother's are in youth, but as the years go by is when appreciation grows deeply - thanks Michael - Lindsay

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/1/2019 7:10:00 PM

this is happening before my very eyes, seeing it with my in-laws, etc. it's all so sad when there is not enough money to stay home and care for one's own parents. I am praying I will never become a burden and I am thankful my mother is not one!

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/7/2019 9:42:00 PM

Hello Andrea … it can be a very difficult time especially with the points you made. Nobody wishes to be a burden on others but it's not always the way things work out - thanks Andrea - Lindsay

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 2/1/2019 10:26:00 AM

Hi Lindsay, Such a relevant issue for us who have aged parents. My father in law and my mom stayed with us for several years before both died, but my mother in law chose to go to a very good retirement home. My husband and I have provided for our old age and will go it alone, but are very close to our two boys and know that they will visit and not forget us. But it is a social problem universally, which is more often than not, difficult to deal with. Excellent Poem Lindsay, Poetry hugs - J.P.

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/7/2019 9:38:00 PM

Hello Jennifer … a time like this can be really difficult in this modern society. A retirement home is fine as long as family visits and keeps a check - thank you Jennifer

Duke Beaufort

Date: 2/1/2019 3:47:00 AM

Beautiful, it's an "age old" problem that was dealt with well when we all lived together. Old was thought of as a good thing. I know you will give her the dignity she deserves. Getting old, as we all will if we are lucky, is not such an easy thing. I have to get the list of gripes ready for my next doctor's appointment!

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 2/7/2019 9:34:00 PM

G'day Duke … thanks for your comment. I have witnessed this problem in aged care facilities with frail people offloaded and cry all day because they want to go home. Very sad and difficult to find the right balance - thank you Duke - Lindsay

Harry Horsman

Date: 1/31/2019 8:28:00 AM

A poem, that is so meaningful, heartfelt as it is, and the question that needs an answer. So i love stanza 5..and the imagery it creates..

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 1/31/2019 6:53:00 PM

G'day Harry … growing up as a child, Mothers made certain that she missed out, not us kids. It takes a while to realize and appreciate this - thanks Harry - Lindsay

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 1/31/2019 12:44:00 AM

So well written. Brought a tear thinking of my mom while reading this. So good. Thank you for bringing my dear Mums memory back for a moment.

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 1/31/2019 6:50:00 PM

Your welcome Timothy … Mothers are really protective; well that was in my case, and I still think back to that in 1966 when she passed away - thank you Timothy - Lindsay

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 1/30/2019 4:37:00 PM

Grrr You hit on a topic that upsets me, Lindsay. If I were lucky enough to have my Mom alive, she'd be welcome in my home. You wrote this very well. Reminiscent of my "Disposable Wisdom." Everyone who is lucky lives to be old. Best wishes, Carolyn

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 1/31/2019 6:40:00 PM

G'day Carolyn … no wonder you're upset. In this me-me modern time, the conscience is only touched when it's all too late. I'll read your poem shortly - thank you Carolyn - Lindsay

Rico Leffanta

Date: 1/30/2019 1:45:00 PM

As a genealogist, almost everyday I read about what happened to mum! Everyone should be grateful they no longer end up in the Workhouse! But children whose mother changed their nappies don't want to change their mother's nappy because they don't understand what their mother did: there is an end to it. Well said, Lindsay! Aloha! Rico

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 1/31/2019 6:37:00 PM

G'day Rico … in this hustling, bustling modern world, social media has many forget the struggle and what our parents went without to make our life better than the one they had - thank you Rico - Lindsay

Tom Cunningham

Date: 1/30/2019 2:27:00 AM

Well written Lindsay, its a sad day when our parents get old and unable to look after themselves. Sometimes the only option is a care home when things get really bad. Hope you and your family find a solution that you're all happy with. Tom.

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 1/31/2019 6:33:00 PM

G'day Tom … oh no, it's not us, but I have heard about what shouldn't be a problem too many times - thanks Tom - Lindsay

Arthur Vaso

Date: 1/30/2019 1:08:00 AM

This brought a tear to my eye, compassionate and beautiful.

Lindsay Laurie
Date: 1/31/2019 6:31:00 PM

Thank you Arthur. There should always be a family solution in cases like this - catch you soon Arthur - Lindsay