Basking in a different sun: the story of Conchi Mendiolea

Vidonja Balanzategui, Bianka

Abstract

[Extract] On a steamy, tropical day in North Queensland in northeastern Aus¬tralia the rain falls so heavily that it fills the backyard swimming pool to overflowing. Inside the air-conditioned house, an old woman lies oblivious to the drumming rains of summer, her mind lost to Alzheimer's disease. Conchi Mendiolea ministers tenderly to her, sponging her, changing her diaper and nightdress, applying cologne and kissing her tenderly on the brow as she settles her back into bed. Afterwards, Conchi's husband, John Mendiolea, feeds her soup, and when he moves too slowly, she says to him, in what little language she is now capable of, "ala, pues" (hurry up). She is Amoma, the grandmother, Conchi's mother, and the life of the house. The activi¬ties of its occupants and visitors revolve around her. Her bed, set up with all the necessities to make her life as comfortable as possible, stands just inside the front door in a large tiled room. The eight years that Conchi and Johnny have spent caring for the bedridden woman have exacted a great personal cost, but they continue to look after her at home because of both family custom and their own deep personal attachment to her.

Journal

N/A

Publication Name

Amatxi, Amuma, Amona: Writings in Honor of Basque Women

Volume

N/A

ISBN/ISSN

978-1-877802-09-6

Edition

N/A

Issue

N/A

Pages Count

Location

N/A

Publisher

University of Nevada Press

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

Reno, Nevada

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

N/A