I've always loved children and the elderly, so after moving to Oklahoma in 2003, I decided it would be a good idea to "adopt" a grandparent for the boys. It wasn't because they didn't have grandparents (they were all living in South Africa), but because I felt it was very important for our boys to be able to relate to an older person and appreciate the wisdom that comes with age.
Anyway, I went to a meeting hosted by "Caring Companions" where I was given the name of a lady who was almost deaf. Knowing myself and how difficult that would be, I chose another lady. Not only was she allot younger than most people in a nursing home, but she had two sons. Her name was Ms. Leader (Barbara Leader). She had not been in the home for too long and was also looking for companionship. She was a perfect match and I was introduced to her by Elaine (an angel) from Grace Living Center. The boys and I would look forward to our weekly visits, and she was a great comfort to me and source of encouragement on the days my boys were driving me crazy, sharing her motherhood stories and reminding me that boys will be boys. She was like a mother to me while in Oklahoma, and I missed her after we started traveling. Thank you to the Urban Family for taking over from me in a far greater way when we left OK, for which I am eternally thankful.
I have never known anybody with as many health issues as she had, but her will to live and her incredible strength against all odds is how I will always remember her, a testimony to her faith and hope in Christ. Regardless of how many times she was in and out of hospital, she chose to live life to the best of her ability. She helped out in the office doing admin work, chairperson of a committee at the center that affected change down her wing (passage), joined the "Red Hat Society" at the home, loved doing crafts and baking at the home, joined the aerobic classes from her wheel chair, loved ice-creams on Wednesdays (which my boys loved too:) and her 3 legged cat that she looked after for a while. My son Joshua posted this;
Josh Koen Hi Ms. Leader, how are you?
What a remarkable lady! We will miss her dearly but know that she is in heaven where there is no more pain and suffering, and where we will get to see her again one day. Our deepest condolences to her sons, Andrew and Jeremy, and her other family members.
We will sure miss her. What an incredible lady!
Posted by: Charissa | 03/08/2010 at 04:12 AM