A Letter from OUT of China
I returned to New Zealand with the knowledge my parents were seriously ill. After a few days in Auckland, I sent an email offering to minister to them. When I arrived at the bus station in my home town Gisborne, my elder brother was waiting for me. Every other time, my now ninety one year old father had met me at the airport or bus station. At dinner at his house, my brother made the family proposal that I change my career to care giver. In the old days, that role was given to the unmarried daughter. Bed pans would replace markers and chalk. He gave me a piece of paper with daily instructions. I noted one instruction was do not mention controversial political subjects or write letters to the Gisborne newspaper. I demurred the proposal, saying that my parents were in their own home tyrants.
When I went to my parents' home I was relieved to see Mother in her clothes in the living room. Father was in bed and reduced to a walker. A special bedroom had been prepared for me.
The next day, Father collapsed in my arms. I held him up in the bathroom. Mother came in and said, ''He is leaving us". Then Father opened his eyes and has been in a fit mental state ever since.
The next day ambulances took both my parents away to the Gisborne public hospital. Father's last words before he left his home, was a monologue how he flew his aeroplanes in Asia in World War Two. The neighbours had become increasingly excited by the daily and nightly visits of ambulances.
My other brother and sister arrived from out of town. I have been an ESL University teacher for two years in Mongolia and Iraq. But when I am with my family in New Zealand, I return to my place as the retarded member.
My mother spent a day in an oxygen tent. Both parents are now in a much better state. Father was moved to the Rehab Unit last night. Mother does not think they will be returning to their home. She has been booked for a heart operation. She says if the prognosis is not relative good health she will decline it.
I may be returning to China as a University or high school ESL teacher. However comments by ESL readers about me have unnerved me. So this is the last edition of A Letter From China.
Goethe
When I went to my parents' home I was relieved to see Mother in her clothes in the living room. Father was in bed and reduced to a walker. A special bedroom had been prepared for me.
The next day, Father collapsed in my arms. I held him up in the bathroom. Mother came in and said, ''He is leaving us". Then Father opened his eyes and has been in a fit mental state ever since.
The next day ambulances took both my parents away to the Gisborne public hospital. Father's last words before he left his home, was a monologue how he flew his aeroplanes in Asia in World War Two. The neighbours had become increasingly excited by the daily and nightly visits of ambulances.
My other brother and sister arrived from out of town. I have been an ESL University teacher for two years in Mongolia and Iraq. But when I am with my family in New Zealand, I return to my place as the retarded member.
My mother spent a day in an oxygen tent. Both parents are now in a much better state. Father was moved to the Rehab Unit last night. Mother does not think they will be returning to their home. She has been booked for a heart operation. She says if the prognosis is not relative good health she will decline it.
I may be returning to China as a University or high school ESL teacher. However comments by ESL readers about me have unnerved me. So this is the last edition of A Letter From China.
Goethe
Goethe, hey don't give up! Those complainers are just unhappy people, who have nothing better to do than to bring others down. Keep up your blog. I for one like to read about your adventures and though I've had plenty of my own, I am envious of your ability to write them down. Good luck coming back to China. I can empathize!
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