I am writing a story about us. Today, “us” only includes my son and I.  However, before October 27,2009, “Us” also included my mother, Charlotte Ann McAmis Humphries.  My mother died on October 27, 2009.  She was 72 years young.  She had Parkinson’s Disease. I have been working for IHSS for 9 1/2 years.  I was my mother’s primary caregiver, as well as my son’s.  So, for almost nine years, I was taking care of both my mother and my son.  My mother DID NOT want to go a nursing home.

She also DID NOT want to go to a hospital. She said that she was glad to be home, and glad that her daughter was taking care of her. I was glad I could take care of them, at home, instead of having to put my son in an institution, or my mother in a nursing home, or hospital.

I am grateful my mother got to spend her last days with us at home, where she wanted to be.  I was at an institution as a child for 5 1/2 years myself.  My mother and father could not get along.  They separated when I was 8 1/2 years old.  They were divorced when I was 9 1/2 years old.  I went into an institution at 5 years old. I left the institution at 10 1/2 years old.  I learned many things, but I was also heartbroken. I wanted to go home.  I missed my parents.  I had NO brothers or sisters living at home with us.  I knew both my parents loved me.  It didn’t matter which one I lived with; I just wanted one of them to take me home. Finally, one of them could.  My father took me home; It was November 1977.  I was so happy!  Throughout my childhood I was permitted to keep in touch with both parents.
 

Being a caregiver and a parent is the most rewarding thing I have done with my life!  It has made me the happiest I have ever been.  It is the only thing I want to do with my life.  Being a caregiver has made me love and feel loved like NEVER before!  I would hate to have to do something else with my life.  I am grateful I can take care of my son at home.  I was thankful I could take care of my mother at home, as well.

Thank you,
Melody Tiffany  Humphries

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