Rose's Reverie - Part Two

Rose was the last in her family of the generation known as "Baby Boomer's."  It seemed a cruel twist of fate that she would outlive nearly all the people who held a place in her heart.  Of the many hardships endured in her long life, nothing had wounded her spirit or hampered her resilience as profoundly as the loss of two children and three grandchildren in a tragic automobile accident.  Were it not for her one remaining daughter, Emily, the grief would have been insurmountable.  They had truly been each others salvation in the most difficult of times, and eventually each others joy as life went on.1

Rose could hear the clock ticking behind her.  "Why did they leave me here like this?" she thought.  She wasn't quite sure how long she had been sitting there but it seemed like an eternity.  She desperately needed to use the bathroom and was growing impatient.  The nurse who made a brisk exit earlier, had told her to ring her call bell if she needed anything.  The only problem was, Rose had lost the use of her voice following a stroke two months earlier and the call bell lay out of her reach, ten feet away.  Weary eyes met Rose's gaze in a mirror that reflected the extent of her loss.2

Soon she began to think about Emily.  She missed her terribly.  Thoughts of her always made life's harsh realities seem bearable.3

When Emily was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at age fifty, Rose read all the literature she could find on an illness which robbed people of their intellect and dignity.  Research was moving along at a steady pace and Rose remained confident a cure would be found.  She was right.  Future generations would be spared this debilitating disease by receiving a simple immunization.  But for Emily, and thousands like her, the damage had been done and the disease process could not be reversed.  Not yet anyway.  Emily was 67 years old.  An array of medications had held the disease at bay for many years,  but the inevitable ending was getting close.4

"There's always hope Gramma," Olivia said.  Olivia was Emily's only child.  She lived in Florence Italy and was a world renown fashion designer.  As was the case for many in her generation, Olivia chose to remain single and childless.  Of course Rose respected her granddaughter's decision, but secretly she hoped and prayed she would change her mind.  Time was running out and the reality was the Frampton womens' lineage ended with them.5

Olivia had provided for her mother's and grandmother's care in a top notch nursing facility in upstate New York.  She wanted the best for them and money was not and issue.  Rose counted her blessings daily for she knew the fate of many older folks.  Those with no money lived frugal lives. Always trying to make ends meet on their limited income.  The social security system while not bankrupt as predicted, was wholly inadequate in providing for the needs of the elderly.  In an age of advanced technology and medical miracles, many generians died from  disease complications because they chose to put food on the table instead of buying their medications.  Yes, one could live a long and relatively healthy life...if you could afford it.6

Rose sat immobile in her wheelchair with tears running down her cheeks.  She could hear the staff chatting just outside her room.  The topic was what to wear at the upcoming Christmas party and gossip about the ones who had "one too many" at last years celebration.  The cramping in Rose's bladder was unbearable.  She could feel the warm fluid trickle down her legs, wetting the outfit so carefully chosen for Olivia's arrival.  7

Again, Rose's eyelids became heavy as she drifted to another place in time.8