My mom will be 94 next week. Her heart’s desire has been to stay in the home my father built for her 65 years ago. She is mentally alert and loves being in her home, but recent falls which resulted in trips to the ER made her evaluate her living environment. She can no longer go to her family room by herself since she cannot maneuver the two steps with her walker. She can no longer cook “real” meals for herself or bake cookies. Her in-home health care has been helpful, but not enough to address her increasing needs.

“The Lord told me it’s time to move into assisted living,” she said to me over the phone. My heart sank and tears pooled in my eyes. After we hung up I cried. I knew that leaving her home would be like losing my dad all over again.

She asked my sister and me to check out a new place not too far from her home. “I heard it’s pretty nice,” she said. “Maybe that’s the place for me.” My sister and I did as she instructed. We were surprised and delighted as we toured the beautiful, spacious, apartment-style living quarters. Mom would have the help she needed with meals and personal care, but she would have the privacy of having her own livingroom, bathroom, bedroom, and mini-kitchen area.

We chatted with excitement as we gave my mom the verbal report. Two days later she was able to visit the place herself, and it was a done deal. She has been in her new place for several weeks and is having a ball. She loves the social times with the other residents, but also like having her own space where the grandkids can come and go. The meals are great, and the first night she was there, someone brought her ice cream.

I am much like my mom. I like comfort and security. I am not quick to try new things. But when God tells me it’s time for a change, I know I can trust that what He has in store for me is better than I can imagine. Maybe I’ll even get a dish of ice cream.

Crystal