My grandmother on my Dad’s side is 101 years young. She is a Grand Lady.
Some would say she is old however apart from her body which is gradually slowing she is alert, bright, talkative and cheeky, always cheeky.
However a fall ended her dream run and after some time in hospital Nanna was placed in an aged care facility to recuperate. Physically she slowly healed however not enough to go home again, so the tough decision was made by her loving children to keep her in the aged care facility, let’s call it House B.
There are procedures to follow when taking her out. I called House B to book Nanna’s time and check someone hadn’t gotten in before us.
She has plenty of visitors from her children, neighbours and the many friends she has made over the years.
We were in luck, she was free and the staff would have her ready for us to pick up after 10am.
For residents safety there is a code lock on the front door which both my sister and I didn’t know but we got in nonetheless and found Nanna napping in the chair by her bed. She had obviously been reading the newspaper when she nodded off because it had slid to the floor at her feet. In gently waking her we made fun of the way it had creatively splayed across the floor. My Nanna is an artist you see.
After kisses and cuddles and a reminder of who we were and why we were there I said “We need to take your Chariot with us Nanna,” motioning toward her rolling walker sitting directly in front of her. Looking me in the eye she replied “We don’t need to take that. I don’t need it.” Ha!!! I told you she was cheeky.
Sometimes I think she tries to take advantage of the fact that she is our elder and thus we should listen and do what she says. Remembering this was the lady that cooked us a roast dinner every Monday night, introduced us to peanut butter and jam sandwiches when we were young and took us to the zoo during the school holidays. So, I sympathised with her endeavour to exert her Nanna-authority in an attempt to be free of her walker. But we wouldn’t get 20metres without her stumbling or us collapsing from taking her weight. So, at my own risk I said “I’m under strict instructions that where you go your Chariot goes, ok?” She gave in without a fight, thankfully.
Next, two thirty-something year olds tried to put a jacket on the Grand Lady as she wobbled on her legs. It took us a couple of attempts and was a source of laughter and dribbling for Nanna who didn’t complain as we tried to twist her arms into the sleeves.
With one of us in front and another shadowing from behind we headed toward the lift. We were certainly a picture - Nanna’s Chariot, a rolling walker, a 101-year-old and two giggling sisters trying to navigate her in to the lift, out the door and carefully easing her in to the car.
And that was just getting her out the door.
