Pillage!

After her condition has deteriorated significantly over the past few weeks, my grandmother has been moved into a nursing home in Langebaan. A few weeks back she was in the hospital and has now been removed from her home: I think these two trauma's, coupled, are responsible for the extend of her deterioration. Her memory has regressed tremendously, virtually taking her back to her childhood. Still, some days are better than others and we'll have to see whether, once she has gotten use to her new surroundings, she will show a slight improvement. But, needless to say, this is very hard on the whole family.

Yesterday my folks left to go help clean out my grandmother's house. Her pension alone isn't enough to pay for the nursing home, so it is necessary to rent out her house. This cleaning out is, however, her final and complete eviction from the home where she vowed she would live until she died (its also where my grandfather died). What she can't keep at the nursing home is to be either being divided between the children or sold. When I first heard of this, the word “pillage” immediately came to mind. But, of course, the booty of sentimental objects and useful utensils and knick-knacks can't conceivable compensate for the heart-wrenching sight of watching your mother or grandmother's mind whither away from her. This is the biggest of the stresses my mother is going through at the moment. This whole situation has both strengthened and weakened the relationships between some of the children (and sometimes their spouses). It is a terrible thing that has come across our paths, but what can you do?

I myself will benefit from this pillaging. I'll get mostly cutlery and glasses (what I asked for), but also reminders and memories from my grandfather and, by extension, my grandparents in happier days when “everything would just be alright”. After all the throwing away and handouts my grandmother has already done, there wasn't much left in the house anyway. But there are still a few objects of great sentimental value left. I'm actually a real softie, so it isn't hard to find something for me to be sentimental about. I believe it is important, because I must never forget those happier, innocent days... before I grew up.