Devoted daughter
To her mother, Ginny, who turned 103 Dec. 11
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Ginny celebrated 103 Dec. 11 - Photo submitted
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Tom and Sandy Seay are pictured outside the NHC Farragut room of Sandy’s mother, Ginny Zimmermann, where they decorated the window for Ginny’s 103rd birthday Friday, Dec. 11. Restrictions caused by COVID-19 prevention measures kept the celebration at a distance. - Photo submitted
Friday, Dec. 11 was a special day for Ginny Zimmermann, as the Missouri native celebrated her 103rd birthday at NHC in Farragut — but it is her devoted daughter who makes sure every day is special.
While there was no party — and no close contact with Ginny due to COVID-19 restrictions — her daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Tom Seay of Hardin Valley, made sure she received a cake, balloons and a celebration just the same.
They also decorated the outside window of her room, and called her cell phone to talk while being able to see her through the glass.
It was a little out of the ordinary, but part of the routine Sandy has built into her days since her mother came to live at NHC in May 2019.
Even though Sandy already had a full-time job with the Holston Conference of United Methodist Church (retiring at year’s end), she — and typically Tom, too — has come to see her mother every day for the last 19 months.
Sandy has adapted to pandemic restrictions for the last several months by bringing a stool on her daily visits, which she places just underneath her mother’s window, where Ginny expects a call from her at 4 p.m. sharp.
Although Ginny is hard of hearing, they converse while Sandy is able to see her mother seated by the window.
“I stay with her until her dinner comes,” Sandy said. “Sometimes I’ll stay on the phone a little afterward, too, depending on what she wants.
“I feel so blessed she is here with us, and we are able to spend time together,” she added, noting the two have a much closer relationship now since her mother moved here from Kirkwood, Missouri, Ginny’s life-long home until moving to be nearer the Seays in 2019.
Sandy is very rarely late.
“I had to sign some paperwork one day last week, and she reminded me I was a little past 4,” Sandy said with a laugh.
“She knows what to expect.”
It is just one way Sandy has made sure Ginny knows she is loved, cared for and looked after — even during these difficult times.
She also picks up her mother’s laundry to wash every day from the front desk, simultaneously dropping off the washing from the day before. Other routines include calling at 9:30 a.m. every morning, then calling every evening starting at 6 p.m.
“That’s the time they usually start getting her ready for bed,” Sandy said, adding she continues to call her mother, every 30 minutes, until Ginny no longer answers.
”That tells me she has been put into bed, and she knows, if she is still awake to hear the phone ring, that I called, and she knows she isn’t alone,” the daughter added.
“It’s those little things that can mean so much to an elderly person. I know, even with the calls and visits, she can be lonely at times. I also know it is hard for her — for any elderly person in that position — not to experience the touch of a hand or a hug, or having someone sit next to them keeping them company.”
Sandy said she imagines herself in her mother’s position, and “it makes me stop and think, ‘How would I feel if I was by myself?’
“We do what we can for her,” she added.
“I love my mom. She is an awesome lady, and I am very thankful to have her here with us.”
