Prue’s mother was proving difficult. “Mum, self-care is the most appropriate place for you.”
“I’ll stay here if I have to self-care. I want help.”
“But Mum in self-care you get help. Meals are provided, cleaning done, bed linen changed and washed plus you can opt for more services.”
“Then why call it self-care. More like aided living.”
“Self -care is because you remain independent. You don’t need nursing. Aided living is a nursing home.”
“Send me to a nursing home. I’ve had looking after myself.”
“I know Mum. How about going to ‘Care… for the Self?”
“Sounds good.”
In response to Charli’s prompt where she asks:
November 30, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes self-care. Does the character need it? What does the character do? Think about how you can use this action to deepen a character or move a story. Go where the prompt leads.
Respond by December 7, 2017 to be included in the compilation (published December 8). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
And this is when they’re reasonable.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was very lucky. I didn’t even have this much trouble. I’m guessing you had a lot more. It is such a difficult time as one gets to this stage as you and i both know. At least we both have a lot of love to give.
LikeLiked by 2 people
ha, that sounds like my mother’s logic…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha. And as a lawyer Geoff I’m sure you’d come up with a persuasive argument.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s all in the words we use. Funny how difficult it can be to find the right words in some circumstances.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is a matter of communication in finding words that have the same meaning to those involved in the conversation. Sometimes it is very difficult.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So many times we can use the same words but mean different things entirely. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially in English.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s all in finding the right words. I’m storing this one away for someone else who’s hard to convince!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes it is finding the right words. I was lucky – I did but my Mum was happy to have the responsibility for daily living decreased. I hope when the time arrives Liz you too find the right words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Independence and self-care can be at odds at certain ages — 2 and 82. Great use of dialog in your flash, Irene!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Charli. It is as though we go full circle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Practicing Self-Care « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
Hah, you captured the contradictions of care service nomenclature perfectly. No wonder people get confused!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Anne. Imagine how it must be for someone whose first language is other than English – when it confuses those of us whose first language it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So close to home this one. MIL passed a few years back, but was independent in her own studio with some aide for years… live close to 90. Wasn’t until the last month she stopped getting the daily paper.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful that she had such a long good life. My Mum is 6 months off 90 and is the same. The paper though now takes her much longer to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person