Five Minute Friday ~ Leave

Happy Friday, friends! It is time, once again, for Five Minute Friday with Kate Motaung. I’m linking up for today’s word prompt where we write for five minutes. No editing, no overthinking. Just writing. I really enjoy these writing prompts, and have ‘met’ some fantastic women through them.

Today’s word prompt is LEAVE. Here we go!!

My family has walked a difficult path this year. It is not unique to us, but difficult, nonetheless. My Mother was diagnosed with Multi-Infarct Dementia in late March. In January, she was living independently, driving, shopping, going to church, and having lunch with her girlfriends. By the end of March, she was unable to discern between the telephone and the television remote. Shocking!

July 2013 ~~ My sister, my Mother, and me.

In late April, we recognized that she could no longer live by herself. She was adamant that she did not want to live with my sister or myself. So, she and I visited an assisted living facility. She fell in love with the place, people, and idea of it.

The next week, she moved in. We got her bed and personal items all set up on move-in day. We laughed and visited and hugged. Then, I had to LEAVE.

I had to walk out and LEAVE my Mama there. She looked so small, so fragile, so alone. I’ve never had children, but I can imagine the feelings are the same when a Mom leaves her child at school for the first time.

It took me a few tries to LEAVE. I think it was more difficult for me than for her. I cried as I left, yet I knew the right decision had been made. She did, too. Each of us in our own way, grasped hold of the promise God made in Isaiah 46:4 (NIV).

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

AND in Hebrews 13: 5 (NIV)

…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

It’s been six months. Every time I LEAVE her after visiting, I claim God’s promise to be with her, and never LEAVE her. He has been so faithful, and so good to her.