Memoirs of the Irrepressible Grandmoms

How many of you have been with, really been with the elderly for one day? To observe them, to talk to them, to listen to them. Many of you may have in mind grandmothers are old, fragile and slow. Slow they maybe, but they can still be living a fulfilling life. Coincidently I have two such octogenarians at home, here is a page out of their daily lives.

Grandma A loves to sleep, but on doctors order the family tries to prevent her from having an overly sedentary life style. But at around 8pm at night right after dinner:

Grandma A: I go to the toilet ah

Family member: OK, walk slowly ah

(20 minutes later Grandma A still has not returned from toilet)

Family member looks around and finds Grandma A already in bed! Conveniently her bedroom is halfway between the toilet and living room, so Grandma A stealthy went into her bedroom on her way out from the toilet. This is her modus operandi!

When it comes to dinner time:

Family member: Grandma eat more vegetable

Grandma A: I don’t have teeth to chew

When Grandma A and Grandma B is eating a box of churros:

Grandma B: What kind of food is this?

Family member: It is like a Spanish donut

Grandma A: (silent)

Grandma B: Eh you finished the whole box!

Grandma A (laughs cheekily)

While we were talking, Grandma A was on stealth mode again and had taken and eaten all the churros silently without being noticed!

When it comes to exercise time:

Grandma B: I will do my morning walk around the garden ya

Grandma A: I will cycle on my stationary bike ya

(Less than 5 minutes later)

Family member: Grandma A don’t stop cycling (Family member continues with the gardening)

(Less than 5 minutes later)

Family member: Grandma A don’t stop cycling

(Less than 5 minutes later)

Family member: Grandma A don’t stop cycling

You get the idea? And its obvious exercise is not high on grandma A's preferred activities 

Grandma A and Grandma B conversing in the morning after breakfast:

Grandma B: How are all your children? You very good ah, your daughter takes care of you so well

Grandma A: No la, you also very good. All children all grown up already.

Grandma A and Grandma B conversing in the evening before dinner:

Grandma B: How are all your children? You very good ah, your daughter takes care of you so well

Grandma A: No la, you also very good. All children all grown up already.

They have no recollection of previous conversations.

To say the least, it is a true gem having them around the house. So next time you are with the elderly really listen in on what is going on in and round them, you never know what you may discover.