I sense a shift of setting sun,
More golden in its glow,
A nagging notion tugs at me,
It’s time I pack to go.
I heard the loons, their feathers fade as
They prep to flee the snow,
But I refused to see ‘til now,
It’s time I pack to go.
There’s an urgency that’s new to me,
Why is it? I don’t know.
But the cooler breeze, it beckons me so
It’s time I pack to go.
What goes into my suitcase now?
Clothes? No need to tow,
And “things” acquired along the way?
Not needed where I go.
I should be filled with only joy
But fear creeps in the flow,
Will there be detours on the way?
It’s hard, this letting go.
With empty hands but faith-filled heart,
No longer shall I roam,
The final journey is close at hand,
It’s time I head for home.
Dear Readers. Perhaps you’ve heard of “sundowning,” a condition also known as Sundowner’s Syndrome or Late Day Confusion.
It’s not a disease, but rather a set of symptoms characterized by anxiety in the elderly; the exact cause is unknown, but it may be due to changes in the brain.
Perhaps you have a friend or family member who has experienced this phenomenon; maybe you’ve even experienced it yourself.
It’s fascinating to note, however, that these anxious, restless behaviors are seen not only in the elderly; they are also exhibited by very little babies in the golden hours of late afternoon.
But we don’t call it “sundowning” in babies. Instead, pediatricians write it off as “colic”.
I firmly believe sundowning is not a physical nor mental nor emotional manifestation; I think it’s a spiritual one.
My theory is, that because babies have so recently left the care of their mothers’ womb, and because the elderly may soon be going to Heaven, both groups experience a type of homesickness, a sense of restless agitation — a longing to be really “home”.
As we commemorate All Souls Day on November 2, let’s all pray for those who have already led the way home.
(Personally, this year I will add a little prayer for the elderly sundowners who will soon be joining them and the tiniest sundowners who are just beginning their earthly journeys. My newest granddaughter is due on November 2. May her colic be mild and may her parents be blessed with an occasional good night’s sleep!)
Linda E. Kelly is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison.