Purposeful activity

We hear a lot about purposeful activity and the impact that it may have in a person's life. Lecture time has often turned to this, even when activity wasn't the main topic. I was able to see this first-hand this past Sunday, and I thought I would share.
Mrs. L has been a "grandmother" to my girls for 12 years now. Mrs. L and Mr. R moved down from PA and landed across the street from us all those years ago. After a lenghty initial meeting(!!)our relationship with them just took off, and to this day, is extremely important to all of us.
Mrs. L had an injury to her ankle about 4 years ago. By the time she went to the doctor, it had already started to heal, but it was never set properly. This started some problems with walking, balance, and safety. However, she was still able to get out in the yard and garden, rake the leaves and even shovel snow when necessary!
She just had to use some caution. Her knees began to deteriorate, due to RA. The shots help for a while, but there has been a noticeable decline in her activity. She had a fall about a month ago, and has not been the same since this happened. She hasn't been able to go to Rex for her swim, or even to Wal-Mart to get her yarn.
My older daughter talked with her on Sat. night, and called me with concern in her voice. "Mrs. L just does not sound good at all" she said. I called her and thought the same thing. She sounded confused, and told me that she doesn't know why she is still here,living like this, with all of these aches and pains. It broke my heart to hear her saying these things.
First thing the next morning, we went to check on her. We know longer live right across the street--we always tell them that we had to move 'cause of what moved in!!!!! Mrs. L was still talking about how she doesn't know what to do. She is feeling every limitation and pain that comes with RA. She no longer cooks, doesn't do much cleaning, and has a hard time just navigating around the small house she shares with Mr. R. Thanfully, she is still able to crochet.
The girls thought it would be neat if they could learn to crochet. Mrs. L has spent a considerable amount of time crocheting, doing needle point, and also making ceramics. We have many of her blankets and scarves. She has also given us many beautiful Christmas decorations--all hand made. The girls asked Mrs. L if she would be able to teach them to be so crafty!!!!
A transformation took place right there in front of us--it was totally amazing. She seemed to come alive!!! She got off the bed and told the girls to follow as she was looking for all of her books. I got her cane for her, and was told that the "walls work just as well." After a bit of encouragment, she did grab the cane, but it never touched the floor. She went from one bedroom to the next waving the cane with one hand, and hanging onto the walls with the other. She was so funny, we all just laughed. Purposeful activity????? Amazing!!!
K and K didn't pick up on crocheting quite as easily as they would have liked, but they will continue to try, for Mrs. L!!