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REFLECTIONS

Featured writer, Patty Zemanick

A Shower with Nana

But that’s to be expected, isn’t it?  After all, I’ve lived on planet Earth for nearly forty years, during which time a mighty game of tug of war has been going on.  At one end of the rope stands “GRAVITATIONAL PULL” (with muscles flexing) and at the other end of the rope is “MY BODY” (with baggy sweater and relaxed fit jeans).   On this particular morning I had no choice but to finally admit defeat.  I threw in the towel.  But that’s okay, because God had prepared me for this day.  He showed me that I have some “inner-beauty” and we all know that’s more important anyway.  Right?

As you can imagine it was an interesting shower experience, although not THE most interesting shower I’ve ever had, cause that would be the time I showered with my grandmother.  Perhaps you’re cringing right now and thinking… “Please don’t tell this story…” but I can’t help myself.  I really must.  So here it is…

My sweet mother was recovering from major foot surgery.  She couldn’t walk at all (wheel chair and everything).  At the same time my tiny Irish grandmother, whom we lovingly called “Nana,” was living with my mom because her health was failing – really failing - and mom didn’t want to move her into a nursing home.  I knew she did a lot for Nana, but I had no idea how much until the morning I showed up and asked how I could help out.  Mom said, “Nana needs to take a shower and can’t do it by herself.”  Just then, she tossed me an old swimsuit.  I said, “What’s this for?”  She replied, “You might want to put that on.  You see you have to get INTO the shower with Nana and help her bathe so she doesn’t fall down.” Yikes – what kind of a trap had I fallen into?

As I began to pull on the swimsuit, my mind was racing.  This was certainly something out of the ordinary.  Something you don’t do just any old day.  What might I see?  Nana was almost 85 and it appeared that I wasn’t the only one who had lost at tug of war with “GRAVITATIONAL PULL.”  I gave myself a little pep talk and tried to think about the situation in a clinical sort of way.  As if I were some kind of nurse.  Nurses see things every day without getting grossed out.  Surely I could do the same.  Besides that – we’re family.    At last I was ready… mentally prepared for the task ahead.

I escorted Nana to the bathroom and began running the water.  When it was comfortably warm I drew back the shower curtain and we both climbed inside.  Then I closed the shower curtain to ensure our privacy.  My grandmother (who I dearly loved) stood before me in all her glory.  She seemed a little nervous and embarrassed, we both were. But in typical “Nana style” she broke the ice.  She looked at me and said, “My – you sure have lovely legs” and we began to laugh.

When our shower was over, I helped Nana dry off and put on a bright purple sweat suit (purple was her favorite color).  I dried and curled her hair, put a little blush on her cheeks, some lipstick on her lips and a splash of perfume.  Her spirits were lifted and it was a precious time for both of us.  My Nana no longer lives with mom.  I guess you could say she has “relocated” – her home is now in heaven where she is forever bathed in the glory of God. 

That morning shower turned out to be one of the last things I did with Nana.  I’m so glad God arranged that special appointment; so glad I had an opportunity to show Nana how much I loved her.  Reflecting on this moment I’ve come to realize what a gift it was.  For me it brought to life a story from the Bible about humility. 

Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed the full extent of his love. He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  “No,” said Peter,” you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” John 13.

It’s amazing what you can learn in the shower.

Patty

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