I did my mother’s nails today
in her wheelchair, she sat still
I painted them a rosy pink
which gave her quite a thrill.
I held them and I dried them quick
upon them I did blow
and then I looked around the room
there were wheelchairs in a row.
The other women sat and watched
and never said a word
I saw the glow in all their eyes
and some eyes, they were blurred.
I stood up and I offered them
the colors in my hand
they took their choice and waited
in their wheelchairs, they were grand.
So all the little ladies
got their nails all done today
and I got smiles of happiness
as I watched them roll away.
Author notes
Just a small joy for me today at the nursing home - to see the ladies in the wheelchair smile and feel happy just to have someone paint their fingernails.
In a list
A contest entry
- BluesMans 50th Contest (Friends and Favorites Only) by BluesMan.
3500 points, ended November 1, 27 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 29 of 29
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I work in a nursing home, so I see this all of the time! Great penning!
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thank you for reading and commenting redbarchettadriv. I appreciate it.
This happened a couple years ago now - when my parents were in the nursing home (both died there). Hardly anyone came to visit the residents, and I used to spend a lot of time in the activities room - trying to help do things with those who had been left alone to die. This write reflects a good memory for me.
best wishes
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Awwwww this is soooooooooo sweet You have my eyes watering. I can picture the scene in my minds eye vividly. After reading I'm left with tears and a smile.
I can see why this poem holds a special place in your heart.
Thank you so much for entering my contest.
Bill
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Thank you so much Bill - glad you enjoyed this.
It was a special day for me - touched me in more ways than I could ever explain......
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Your brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing this lovely piece.
jjj
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Thank you so much 'judy'.! I am pleased you enjoyed this.
It brought tears to my eyes when I saw the ladies just sitting and watching - but not saying anything, as they wouldn't ask. I had such a lovely time doing their nails! I still help out with that.
blessings
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Very very moving....such a simple, unselfish gift of time , and I can just picture the difference and joy these ladies must have had........A memory Im sure will live with you, as much as with them......peace J.
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Thanks 'poppa' for another wonderful comment and applause. This was a very special day to me - I learned, in a whole new way, how something so trivial can mean so much to someone else.
I am pleased that you enjoyed this.
blessings
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love it
you are hitting a spot in my life right now. my mom was in a nursing home for a short time once and it was the most awful time in my life other then her passing. i have been in one that does recovery for sugey and other ilness and was in two time. i couldn't get home soon enough. i so looked ofrward to family and freinds visiting. more people should go see someone in a nursing home even if not their family because it would life someones spirits and also the person would feel good about doing a good dead.
hugs,
poetess -
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Thank you 'poetess802' for reading and commenting.
It is not easy going to the nursing home daily, but my father passed away there 7.2.07 and I have to say he got really good care and lots of attention and I am glad it was there and not a hospital. I visit with all the people there - most have no family that visits. It has greatly added to my life.
again, thanks.
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this is a very good piece...i loved it
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Thanks 'crystal'. I did this again yesterday for the ladies at the 'manor'. It is such a small thing - but means so much to these women. I guess we sometimes take things for granted - until we see that is is something that another can not do for themselves - and usually won't ask someone to do it for them. Very humbling.
Thanks again.
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My mother was never able to have her nails professionally manicured until she came to live with me. I took her for a manicure every week and it was such a treat for her.
I cried, aboomer, reading this, thinking of keeping Mama's nails done after she went into the hospital. I saw the envy in her room mate's eyes and did hers, too. It's such a loving, giving thing to do, and such a pleasure for the recipient. I did her nails for the last time the day before she died and I know she knew I did it for her, out of love for her. You will never ever be sorry you gave of yourself this way. When your mom is finally gone, you'll have comfort knowing you did everything you could to make her comfortable and happy while you were together. Good luck, my friend.
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Thank you Purple Pen for the nice comment and applause.
It was a memorable day for me - very touching yet full of simply joy. I now do this on a regular basis over there. It is something I can do to make someone happy, and it costs nothing - but means so much to everyone. And I really enjoy it. I have never painted others fingernails before, but it doesn't even matter if you are experienced or not.
Just a 'small joy', a memorable day for me.
Thanks again.
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This is just fantastic and it did make me smile for sure, small joys is exactly right, but meant the world to them I am sure
Thank you for taking the time to enter this contest, I wish you the very best of luck
Karen -
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Thank you 'poetic whisperer' for the nice comment. I'm glad it made you smile.
It was a memorable day for me also. One I won't forget.
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Awww this is very sweet you have a heart of gold one small thing like this just brightened there day.
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Through blurry eyes....
I say bless you!
*PEACE*
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Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.
It was a memorable day for me, also.
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Amazing the little things that can gift one with great pleasure. This is wonderful and touching, indeed. I'm glad you were able to experience this. Well done. Thank you for entering and best of luck to you.
Bella
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Thank you Bella. It was a touching moment for me in that place - which doesn't have many moments to smile at or enjoy. I was glad I could do this.
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Oooh so touching your loving child their sir. I am so touch. Please if my mother ask some manicure when she is old, she likes orange.
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Thank you Ang Lim for the nice comment and applause. I had to laugh - I got sent home with Neon Purple fingernails!! They glow! I would be very honored, if I live long enough and ever meet your mother in those circumstances, to paint her nails whatever color she wants.
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I have my mother in a home since she had a stroke.It is so pleasing to see the little things that cheer up some of the old ladies there makes one wonder what we have to complain about sometimes A wonderful poem with good flow and rhyme A most enjoyable read Thank you
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Thank you so much, Legend, for reading, commenting and the applause. I'm glad you enjoyed this. I have another poem I wrote on my impression in the nursing home..."Crushed Butterflies". Then, the other day I painted fingernails - and wrote this one. My mom has Alzheimer's and my father just passed away (in the same home) from cancer last month. So I am over there a lot. And it really touches my heart the small things one can do to make life a little more pleasant for these people.
Thanks again.
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this is a very good poem. i hope that nothing every happens to your heart of gold.
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Thank you 'fat-polly' for reading, commenting and the applause. I'm glad you liked this. I guess my heart is just touched by the little things that you can do for someone who really appreciates it. And it was such a surprise to me to look up and see all those ladies lined up and just watching - with hope it seemed, in their eyes, that someone would maybe do that for them, too.....so I did. I enjoyed it as much as they did.
Thanks again.
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Oh my dear! Your heart of gold...what a sweet and loving thing to do. I worked with the elderly and I do know what a little thing like this means to them. Bless you and all those precious ladies! Loved the poem so very much!
Love~
Az
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(these stars aren't working!)
Thanks, Queen. It was just a touching morning for me - usually it can be sad and depressing going to a nursing home every day. But I wanted to cry and smile at the same time as these ladies lined up for me to paint their nails (I didn't even see them lining up as I was concentrating on mom's nails!) - something I've never done before!..lol...and they were so happy and pleased (I was nervous) that just that 'small joy' today, made my day.
I'm glad you liked this. Thanks.
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