I instruct an exercise class at a retirement home every Tuesday afternoon. There is one resident who is no longer able to attend the class because she is becoming so frail. She has had several falls. We have had an agreement between us that I would still knock on her door to invite her to class but instead of an invite I give what she calls a 'wee cuddle'. I have been doing this since about March.Today there was a sign on her door saying she had a fall and was unable to use her walker and must use a wheelchair. I did not knock because she often is napping at the time I make my rounds to gather up folks for the class. After class she was just coming out of the elevator for the social hour. One whole side of her face is badly bruised, cuts around her eye from her glasses and a broken arm. I asked where I could touch her that would not hurt. Her answer was: "It will not hurt please hug me!"- and I did.
It seems like a small thing to give a hug every week. To her it is a big thing. At the end of life when so many are afraid to touch the elderly it humbles me to think that each week my stopping to hug someone could mean so much.
3737 Reads
- Posted by TC
- Aug 22, 2016
- Comments (15)
Readers Comments
verityngnosis wrote: It really means so much. A couple of years before my mom passed away, she fell in church and broke her some. For a while , she was afraid to go for walks because she was scared she may fall again and break something else. It always ment so much to her when my niece or I or or another visited came to talk to her other just give her a hug. Please keep giving her those hugs.
verityngnosis wrote: That is broke her arm.
mindyjourney wrote: ((((TC))))) thank you <3.
Mish wrote: Your "wee cuddles" are a precious gift and mean the world to her. You are sharing love. How beautiful TC â¤ï¸
KiwiCat wrote: that is lovely, hugs mean such a lot to some people :-)
gloriousday wrote: Bless you for such kindheartedness! Touch is so healing!
savraj wrote: You are such a beautiful person. Thankyou for spreading love by giving hugs
splain wrote: The power of that lovely wee cuddle. love this
Novice50 wrote: I cried when I read this - so beautiful! Thank you!
soulofwomenfd wrote: oh that hug is so precious and needed!!!
