My 100 Year-Old Client Crossed Over
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
December 18, 2015 7:43am CST
I lost a great lady last night. She was 100 years old. I met her 9 years ago through my work as her Personal Care Attendant for our local VNA.
We hit it off from day one. She became an inspiration to me. All she wanted in life was to celebrate her 100th birthday. She did that! This woman lived alone, her local family did not visit her. She had one friend who had been friends with one of her daughters who passed on, remained faithful to her and visited her often, especially for holidays and her birthday.
My lady would wake each day and smile. I often would find her sitting near a window looking out at the wild life that came into her yard, or just basking in the warm sun.
She was delightful. When I finished my chores we would sit and talk. I cherished those moments.
Two days ago she suffered a heart attack and was sent to hospital. I went to see her the next day. She was so weak and tired. I woke her when I arrived, and sat in the chair next to her bed with my knitting project in hand. I always brought my latest project and worked on it while we chatted. She fought to stay awake while I was there. I only stayed about 20 minutes because she was so tired. I told her I would see her the following day as they were releasing her to go home on Hospice care.
Yesterday I went to see her. She had declined so much in that 24 hour time period. It broke my heart to see her that way. I stayed a bit longer even though she wasn't very responsive. I told her how much I loved her and how blessed I was to have met her. Thanked her for being such an important part of my life. I kissed her gently on the cheek and parted. I knew it wouldn't be long before she crossed over.
Last night I received a call from her friend to say she had passed. My heart broke. This woman was not just a client, she became family. I will miss her dearly.
20 people like this
19 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Dec 15
Thank you Lenore. She will never be forgotten, Her wisdom and advise I will always hold dear, but most of all the love and appreciation she had for me and I for her.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Dec 15
@Marcyaz I have always believed that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. I would want my Mother to receive great care too. She is in assisted living and has Alzheimer's. I worry about her daily.
2 people like this
to all good caretakers 
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Dec 15
Thank you. She was a delightful woman. I cherished every moment I spent with her.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
18 Dec 15
@ElusiveButterfly
That is wonderful that you cherished her and she was a delighful woman.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
18 Dec 15
I'm happy to hear that you took time out to visit her sounds really wonderful that you could help.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Dec 15
She was one of my favorite clients. I wish I could have done more for her.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@softbabe44 The week before her decline I visited with her. I had a feeling that nobody got out her Christmas decorations. So, I asked the aide that was on duty to go upstairs and fetch the boxes they were stored in. I put up her small tree and the decorations that she cherished that family members had made. She was delighted and thanked me. Told me she could always count on me.
2 people like this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
20 Dec 15
@ElusiveButterfly I'm sure you did what you could doi think she loved it.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 Dec 15
You were a blessing for her, she must have been very lonely and you helped fill that void. I'm sorry she is gone but I think she was probably ready to go too.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
31 Dec 15
She had been experiencing some ailments that were quite painful. A couple of weeks before she passed she said she wondered why she was still living. I told her that only God knew the answer to that one. We had some wonderful times together. I did fulfill my duties whenever I was there, but when I finished we would sit and talk. She enjoyed that very much.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
1 Jan 16
@PainsOnSlate I feel that companionship is just as important to cleaning and personal care.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 Dec 15
@ElusiveButterfly And I know how special you were to her to take that extra time to chat, so many are just lonely.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Dec 15
I am so very sorry for your loss. Sounds like you were lucky to have known her.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Dec 15
I was lucky to have known her. She was such a blessing.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Nov 18
How very sad. I know she is no longer tired.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Nov 18
I have been thinking of her lately. Have her Christmas cactus and it is about to bloom. She loved that plant so much. It will be 3 years next month that she has passed.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Nov 18
@ElusiveButterfly ......Sounds like she was quite a lady.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
18 Dec 15
This just shows the strong willpower that a person has.
If we want to live long, we just have to want it badly enough.
Of course, money is a big issue.
Your client has fulfilled her wish, and she is in a better place now. I think we all envy her for having such a great life.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Dec 15
She was happy with the little things in life. She wanted nothing more than to live out her days in the home she had shared with her husband and family. Her husband and one of her daughters had passed before her. She was alone with her cat. She woke every day with a smile on her face even if she didn't feel well.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Dec 15
@Marcyaz Those that were close to her will reflect back on her with such fond memories.
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
18 Dec 15
@ElusiveButterfly
She will be remembered as a good person whose wishes were fulfilled and you will remember her with a smile on her face whether she felt well or not.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
21 Dec 15
You are such a precious human being Elusive.
Such love and care in your heart for others.
A very merry xmas to you and yours friend.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
21 Dec 15
Hello my old friend. Thank you. I wish you an Merry Christmas too.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
24 Dec 15
I am glad yu were able to offer her so much comfort in her last years and I am sure you will miss her.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
31 Dec 15
I will always remember her and reflect back on the time we had together. Yes, I will forever miss her.
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
20 Dec 15
@ElusiveButterfly I am sorry to here of your loss. It's funny how people can become family. I am glad you were able to tell her goodbye.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
28 Dec 15
It tore my heart out to say the words, but I am glad that I was able to tell her how much she meant to me.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
29 Dec 15
@HazySue the Hospice nurse is one that I have worked with before and she said that it was nice that I was able to tell her how much she meant to me. She hugged me and consoled me as well. Thank goodness for her. She is an excellent nurse.
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
29 Dec 15
@ElusiveButterfly it does make you want to break down. I remember saying goodbye to my mother-in-law (90 years old) it broke my heart but it had to be done. At least you were able to say goodbye.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
31 Dec 15
They always say not to get close to them. How do you not get close to someone that you spend so much time with?
@Deepizzaguy (94514)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
18 Nov 18
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your friend. Living 100 years is a very long life.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Nov 18
She shared so many stories with me and I enjoyed everyone of them. Some were quite sad. We cried, we laughed, we enjoyed each other's company. I miss her still.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
18 Nov 18
A few months prior to her passing I told her that she could live to be 110. She replied "I hope not!" She was an amazing person.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
18 Dec 15
I am sorry for your loss. You will miss her and that is the most and best we can say.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
20 Dec 15
My brother recently did some work for her on her home. He told me last night that he was so glad he got to meet this woman. She was remarkable.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
20 Dec 15
I am sorry for your loss. I am glad that she was able to live to 100 and to pass in a gentle way without a great deal of suffering.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
31 Dec 15
I prayed she would not have to suffer.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Dec 15
-HUGS- glad for the memories, sad for the loss
1 person likes this
@cintol (11261)
• United States
12 Jan 19
I know how you feel, I worked as a caregiver in CO and my clients became family to me as well as I was always so sad when they passed. Hugs to you for being there for her, breaks my heart that the families just dismiss the elderly when they get of age. I'm glad she had you
