Katić - Babas Story

One day, Sofija came home from school happily expecting to see her great-grandma, but when she entered the house, she found her sitting on the floor. She realized something was wrong with Baba.

Sofija asked, Why are you sitting on the floor, Baba?

Mitra saw that Sofija had turned white and was worried for her. Smiling at Sofija, Mitra told her that everything was all right.

I slipped a little and slid to the floor. I wasnt able to get up and the phone wasnt near me. I am not hurt; Im all right. Help me get up, wont you?

Sofija threw so many questions at Mitra: Are you sure you are not hurt? Why didnt you call us? Stupid me, you already said you were not able to reach the phone.

Sofija tried to help her baba get up, but even with her best efforts she could not. Sofija said that she was going to call their neighbour across the street.

Yes, you can call if Clara is home, but dont call Adam, Mitra insisted.

Why not? Sofija asked, He is much stronger than Clara.

Please, no, Mitra said for the first time with a raised voice, No.

All right, Baba, I wont.

The reason I dont want Adam to come is that Im all wet underneath. Thats why, Mitra admitted.

Sofija called the neighbour Clara who came right away. She moved the kitchen chairs to Mitras side and asked her to put her arms on the seat of the chair and grab the sides of the chair to pull herself up. They turned Mitra on her side, then on her belly, but it didnt work. They tried to turn her on her side again and set her up.

Somehow, Mitra grabbed the chair and with all her might started to pull herself up. The two of them were trying to lift Mitras bum and legs. Pulling and pushing, they eventually got her standing again. Sofija was still upset with what had happened to Baba. Clara helped Sofija to undress and shower Mitra and dressed her in clean, dry clothes.

The whole family was upset with what happened to Baba. The decision was made that Mitra could not be home alone anymore. She needed someone to look after her when they were away. Mitras family hired an older woman named Zelma, who was still in good shape, to look after her when nobody was at home. Every time, when they asked Baba if the woman treated her well, she would always tell them, Yes, yes, she does.

One day, immediately after Zelma went home, Sofija sneaked into the house to check on her baba. When she came close to her, she whispered, Hi, Baba.

In fact, Zelma wasnt treating Baba well; however, she was treating herself very well by eating the good food, talking constantly on the phone, and reading books. Baba was very unhappy with the woman, but she did not want to upset her family, so she kept quiet. She didnt know what to do.

One day, she revealed her feelings to her friend Mara and asked what she would do in this situation.

Do you think I should move into a retirement place? I hear people get treated very well there, and it would solve my problem.

Mara told her that she knew a lady who was in such care.

She was my next-door neighbour. I go sometimes to see her, and she tells me she is happy with the place.

Can you arrange for me to visit that place and see for myself?

Of course, I can. I will phone her tonight and ask her. Her name is Evica.

Please call her.

Once Evica heard from Mara, she made inquiries on Mitras behalf.

Evica told the assistant responsible for admissions that two ladies would like to come to check out the place. One lady was interested in moving in, if she liked it, she added. The establishment was always looking for potential residents.

The next day Mara informed Mitra that she could visit the establishment on May 5th at 1:00 pm, if that was agreeable with her. Baba told her family that her friend Mara would pick her up and they would go to visit her friend and neighbour, Evica, in Maple Retirement Place for seniors.

Can you please call Zelma and tell her not to come tomorrow? I wont be home, Baba asked them, without mentioning what was on her mind. But her son Marko thought that she might be thinking of moving.

Mara drove Mitra there and introduced her to Evica and a manager. The establishment was very friendly and gave her lots of information; they even offered her drinks and some cookies.

Mitra never promised anything that day, but she was inclined to move into the establishment.

* * *

When Mitra came back she spoke about the things she had seen. She told her family that the place was quite nice, the staff was very friendly, and the food was good. Mitra went a couple more times, to be sure about her decision. She found Evica quite friendly too.

One day, soon after these frequent visits to the establishment, Mitra told her family about her intention to move there. They were disappointed that she would do that. They liked their baba to stay with them because she was always fun to have around.

When the family started to question her about why she was doing that she said, Please understand me. I like living with you and I know that all of us get along very well, but everyday, I am getting older and weaker in my limbs. I need someone to be with me all the time because Im afraid that I might fall down again. I know you got Zelma to look after me, and I sincerely thank you for that. She cost you quite a bit of money, but she wasnt worth it. If you get another person, I am not so sure that person will be any better. For that reason, Ive decided to go.

Mitra had common sense when it came to decision making, and when she decided to do something, she always carried through with it. She claimed this would be the best solution for her and for the whole family. They knew that Babas decision was final, and she could not be persuaded to change it.

They felt guilty for taking her for granted. Her family considered her indestructible because she was such a strong character, and shed taught them all to be strong and positive. Baba took care of them when they were growing up, but they let her down.

Marko fired Zelma instantly, despite her pleas that she would do a better job taking care of Baba. Mitra did not want to tie down Marko so she decided to move on May 25th.

When Sofija heard this, she cried; she did not want her baba to leave her. Mitra convinced her that everything would be fine.

You have to be happy for me because I am going to have good care and be safe. It is not too far for you. You can visit me any time you want. I will always be happy to see you and talk to you, my dearest Sofija.

Marko, Doris, Stefan, and Sofija went to see where their dearest Baba was moving to. The staff received them pleasantly and showed them around the place. Babas future room on the fourth floor looked very large and sunny. Marko asked several residents how they liked living there. Some of them told him they liked it, but a couple of men only shrugged and murmured with low voices, not bad. Marko wasnt so sure whether the place was as good as the staff tried to convince him it was.

Once more, Marko asked Mitra if she was sure that she wanted to move away from home. Her firm answer was, Yes, Id like to. I think Im going to be all right. The family had no choice but to accept her decision.

They made arrangements with Baba for what she wanted for her new place and how she would like to furnish her new room.

Marko believed that she would not last very long there; he thought she would soon ask to move back home because Mitra had never lived away from her family. Because of this, he suggested she only move her most essential things at first.

When the day came for Mitra to move to Maple Retirement Place, the weather added to her sadness. Heavy, dark clouds hung close to the ground, dripping slow spits of rain.

Mitras thoughts and tiredness made her sleepy. When she woke up it was almost 8:00 pm. She was surprised that shed slept so long. It was all right, now she felt well rested. Mitra was very surprised that Evica had not already called on her. If she had, Mitra didnt hear her.