Being a mother is a job that has no retirement. It is a profession that lasts a lifetime. There is no “due date” for your commitment to your children. Hence, even if they have married, we still ensure their well-being, although they live far away from us.
A 98-year-old mother moved into a senior home where her 80-year-old son lived. Tom moved into the senior home to live in comfort for the rest of his life. However, his mother also moved in to take care of him. The mother and his son formerly lived in Wavertree but moved into the senior home in Liverpool. The staff was surprised to see this kind of devotion from a mother and were lucky to witness it.
When she was 18 years old, Ada Keating had Tom. They were inseparable since, and it was a “tradition” they continued until they were in their advanced ages. Although it is not an unusual situation, it is usually a married couple or a sibling who moves in since they belong to the same age group.
“I say goodnight to Tom in his room every night, and I’ll go and say good morning to him.” Ada said in an interview with the Liverpool Echo, “I’ll tell him I’m coming down for breakfast.”
People assume that men usually detach from their parents when they come of age or when they marry, but that is usually only half the truth. Tom is like a child once again when his mother moves into the senior home but in a good way.
“When I go out to the hairdressers, he’ll look for me to see when I’m coming back,” Ada said. Tom always welcomes her with open arms, ready for a big hug. Tom was also grateful to the staff of the senior home for looking after them. Ada did not stop her ‘job’ being a mother to Tom. Tom admits that Ada still reminds him to behave when a situation calls for it, which is not often.
Tom has 2 sisters, Barbara and Margi. They had a sister, Janet, who unfortunately passed away at age 13. He worked as a painter and decorator at the HE Simm building services. He was never married, so he lived with Ada throughout his life.
Ada’s granddaughter Debi and her family often visit to see Tom and Ada. They are happy that the mother and son duo look after each other at the senior home.
It is true that a mother’s profession is never done and has no retirement. Tom and Ada are lucky that they can spend the rest of their years together in a comfortable senior home.
▼ Watch the video below of Tom and Ada during an interview session:
Images credits: © Magda Ehlers/Pexels, RDNE Stock project/Pexels, and JewishLife/YouTube
