My Mother Eva
born November 21, 1909
Story by Marilyn Paulson, Johnson
November 18. 2010
. . . My mother wanted to give me a present for my birthday December 27, 1995
She was living in a rest home in Murray Utah for the last ten years of her life, she died August 2, 1996
For the last year of her life one of the nurses would place a long-distance phone call to me on Sunday morning. Mother had been blind ten years before her death. I sent a letter and flowers each month. She was moved to a new rest home out in the country where she could walk outside with a nurses aid and she told mom all the names of the roses. That was the highlight of her spring and summer months. The nurse noticed Eva was getting slower in her walking and stayed inside near her bed. She shared a room with an elderly lady that could see well
and they watched and listened to TV together. They liked travelogs. The roommate had not traveled out side of the United States.
She loved to hear the stories of where my mom had traveled. It was a great combination. When this roommate died, my mom was sad and missed the enchanting conversations with her.
A nurse’s aid asked her if she would like to call her daughter Marilyn in Fernley Nevada once a week on Sunday morning for a phone visit around 8:00 am. That cheered her up and she looked forward to Sunday. I was often late for church As the aid made her morning round .she would let Eva know what day it was. The Sunday calls came regularly. One day she asked me what I wanted for my birthday. My birthday is December 27, two days after Christmas. With the rush and business of Christmas time, my birthday was often forgotten. That was O.K. But mom always remembered.
“Please tell me what you would like to have for a present.”
“Oh! mom just a phone call, they are so fun for both of us.”
“Please think a minute Marilyn and decide.”
I pondered in my mind. . . and came up with a car blanket.
She started to cry and I asked why. She explained she had no money. Please find a blanket you like and buy it and wrap it up and tell everyone I sent it. I did enjoy finding a blanket. I told her about it in our next phone call.
. A flood of precious memories comfort me every occasion I bundle up in the beautiful burgundy and Navy Blue birthday quilt.
