Recently, I drove by the convalescent facility in our little town. My travels don’t take me in that direction too often.
After I passed by, I immediately found a safe place to turn around and went back for photos. Although I knew that changes were taking place there, I really wasn’t prepared for what I saw.
I don’t recall exactly when the nursing home was built; I’m guessing some time in the late 70’s or early 80’s.
My first memories of visiting there were the ice cream socials our young womens’ group at church would have for the residents. We would bring vanilla ice cream and all the fixin’s to make ice cream sundaes. Many of us were mothers, and our little ones would go with us. The residents were as (if not more) excited to see the children as they were about the sundaes.
One of my aunts went to live there briefly in 1989, and I visited her regularly. I took her a ham biscuit after our family reunion that August. She passed away in September.
My mom became a resident of the nursing home in 1991. It was her decision, and although I found it so difficult, the bright spot was that she was only five minutes from me. Going to see her during lunch time quickly became a habit, as did a nightly visit to help her to bed. She was there for three and a half years until her death in 1995.
My cousin, Lona, also lived the last few years of her life at this facility. There were many visits with her, until the final one that evening in 2013.
Why all this emotion at seeing a building being demolished? After all, it’s only brick and mortar.
And memories.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 
Yes…….and they can’t tear down those memories…..they are part of you always.
Hugs, Pam
So true… so thankful for the people that made those memories with us and pictures!
wonderful that you have so many good memories to hold on to while the buildings will be gone and so sorry you’ve lost your mom and so long ago too, thanks for your blog love it!!
And memories – so true. Just hard to imagine that it’s torn down. I’m going to have to take a ride by.
The memories we can treasure forever, brick and mortar has an expiration date. But we do tie our emotions still to the physical. I sobbed like a baby when we sold our parents’ home after my dad’s passing. So I understand those emotions.
I have to agree .. memories ..
I had no idea it was gone until you sent me the pic ..
A very poignant post today ..
Your heart and memories are beautiful. I wish brick and mortar could reflect the beauty and lasting love that the folks, friends and families celebrated in that building.
You certainly did have a lot of memories in that building. I have to Aunts that lived there until they past. My Great Aunt Ida Mamming and my Aunt Louise Bage.
I’m sure that was an emotional moment–or two. A friend and I had lunch today–turns out she’s a fan of Marshall and the flag store. It’s a small world after all!
Oh, that’s wonderful, Patti! Always makes this Mama proud to hear about her son’s “fans”. Thanks for sharing that with me!
What sweet memories you had of that building and all who were loved there. MJ
I, too, was the caretaker of my mother and my aunt in two different ‘homes away from their homes’ at the same time, in two different states – it was so hard (w/3 children in tow, as well) yet I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. So love your beautiful blog – your love stories w/motor man, your history lessons, your precious kittiy pics, and your heart full of love and compassion for your family and the beautiful place you call home. Thank you, Dianna for sharing your inspiring stories and lovely pics w/your readers every day and providing joy in my heart w/every read!
I have visited there several times. Friends and family who were there after they could no longer stay at home. You are so right, they probably enjoyed the visits more that the goodies!