Today, I am writing with Mom. Just so we are clear, she knows that I write about her. She feels that she is a terrible topic and she wonders why anyone would find her interesting. I reminded her also that I write about her because it was a suggestion of the Alzheimer’s Association and that some of the issues we run into may help other people. She still continues to think that she is a boring topic and we can agree to disagree.
We have just finished lunch and Bingo will start soon. We are reviewing our week and we’ve had some laughs and some problems. A recap of our week goes something like this…
We have lost her remote…we have found her remote. We have lost her remote…we have found her remote. Repeat x10.
She has found a new friend, a blue soft stuffed dog. She has not named it yet and I can tell that she has forgotten about Matilda for now. Matilda is sitting on top of her bed, watching the new dog taking her place. I hope we don’t have to bring both of them on our travels. If you visit her, bring food, not any more stuffed animals.
She has wanted to go home for the last month and today is no different. I don’t know where “home” is. She normally will tell me she wants to go home on the phone. Home could be one of a few places. It could be the farm we lived on for seventeen years with her lovely garden, it could be two blocks from my own house, where they adopted both Ross and I. It could be off of Chicago or Penn where they lived in the 40’s and 50’s. Home could be Howard Lake, where she graduated from and where she has so many memories. She talks a lot about the red house, which is located in Crystal, where they lived for a short time. Home is important to people and when illness occurs, I hear that so much. “I want to go home!”. When I have a Client who states that, I wish I could help them find their home. Home could also imply being with a much missed loved one. I wish I knew which “home’ mom was referring to.
We have found six of her missing pants. As it is in a memory care unit, things disappear. I had bought a few pants for her at Land’s End but was upset so many of her pants were missing. The staff found them in four different rooms and all is right with the world again.
She received some cards for Valentines Day from two very long time friends. Thank you Marilyn and Ardis! Something so simple, means so much. We have hung them up in her room so that every day she will remind me she got some cards. That is a funny thing about memory loss, every day is new.
As a special surprise, I bought her some girl scout cookies…thanks Leslie! She was a girl scout leader (Troop 81!) when I was a girl so besides her love of Thin Mints and lemon cookies, there is some history there. She was very excited to get them.
She voiced missing my dad today. Boy, I second that. I miss having him answer my questions.
The other comment she has been stating is “Well, it’s time for bed.” This is said at nine in the morning, two in the afternoon and right before she is going to bed. She has always been an early riser and gave 100% the whole day. As you know, she was a walker, each and every day. When I look back in her journals, she really walked even when it rained. I think that is the reason she is in such good shape for almost eighty-eight. In the last few months, she has been sleeping more. I catch her in the chair or tucked sweetly in bed, sound asleep. She has found a new love, her bed. Remember the day when she would not get out of bed? I’m ok with that. In fact, if I could be in bed right now, I would too.
I am proud that I have not put my mom’s roommates daughter in a headlock. No… really. She just can’t help herself in making comments about what I buy for mom. There was a Snicker’s comment today and I let it go. You know the thoughts that go through your head and you are so glad no one can hear them? That was about two hours ago. I hope she finds the girl scout cookies today.
Lastly, she is worried about her bird house outside. It’s snowing and she can hardly see it. I tell her it will be fine but I know she doesn’t hear me. She is tired and I know her bed is calling. If you haven’t already guessed…she is a good mom. She tells me to go home due to the snow. Home, how ironic.
Jodi