| Oh I wish I had a camera last night for our visit and supper with Mom! We got in late, mostly because of huge traffic that Gordy had to fight going down there...ugh. Despite his feeling pooped and raw, he was "up" for our visit with Mom, so she had no idea. Like the old days, Gordy leaned back in the "comfy" chair there, and rested, no slept, nor even managed a nap, but as close as he could get to one and still be present...and Mom smiled and looked at it, and encouraged it. Very sweet. When we left, Mom wanted to come with, and was on a verge of an outburst of sorts, but after we left, I hope she could be diverted. Her memory was very good yesterday, and she looked so pretty again, but not flushed, just normal. She still manages to remain gorgeous, methinks I am still acting as her live Dorian Gray picture . I brought the one bright red poppy that bloomed, and put it in my water bottle - after the drive, she was a tad worse for the trip, but still appreciated by Mom - and again, I brought placemats, and our "dish towels" as "fancy napkins" [and great for clean up too if needed], and this time, I grabbed some of our "flame-less" tea lights, and put them on bright yellow-gold napkins. We turned down one light in the room, and it was softer, and seemed more separate than the rest of the hospital. I also maneuvered it so Mom was looking at the inside wall instead of the 2 glass walls, so she wasn't as distracted. I also loaded my faux mp3 player with some tunes from the past, songs she used to sing to me, our favorites according to Mom like "Que Sera Sera" and "My Little Corner of the World" and some other goodies from the 20's, 30's and 40's. We also had some broadway mixed in, and towards the end Mom and I were singing and boogying in our seats. Kim supplied the lemon squares....oooh, Mom loved it, and then added some chocolate pudding to it, and reveled in it -- I love to see her enjoy pieces of life. Kim also created a puree of roasted vegetables in a chicken broth, which the visual appeal wasn't there, but when she tasted it...yes! Gordy made the squish with love, and I made "American spaghetti" [don't ask, it's comfort food to our family] and she loved it, and it was a hit! Yes! And it's good to mush other flavors or food in it, and so Mom did with relish [not literally relish hehe]. Last time bringing some cabbage soup turned out to be not so good, as the veggies can get "stuck", so I decided to get some "broth" from the soup, and she enjoyed that, especially when coaxed to mix it with her spaghetti. Kewl Beanz [no, litertally no beans either]. It jusy all hit the spot, not a lot of stress to chat etc., it came out easy this time. Mom ALWAYS knows Aunt Joan, and I think it took a few seconds to "see" me, but once she did, she knew me big time. She also managed to have a REAL big memory -- she commented on my hair a few times, but all of a sudden, she said, "you cut it didn't you -- it looks good"...and I think it's real, not a disconnect which was very neat. Being a belated "mother's day supper" I phoned Jim and Mary, but they were either asleep or not home, as we got the Machine, but Mom talked a while on it, understanding the concept of answering machine, which is huge, it's so abstract, and she talked and talked, and said "sweetheart" and sent her love and asked him to visit etc. so she "knew". She was aware of her not knowing or not speaking well too. Which is a hard concept as well. And she didn't play games, if she didn't know someone, she asked who they were. And if she didn't recall, we let it go. I have not mentioned, I don't think, a neat letter I received from her team [signed by all, too, which makes it extra special] where they answer some questions I asked, and hinted at the possibility that if Mom stays at this level of behaviour, she could be discharged -- holy sh**!!! Dare to dream? And dare to pray that the state will approve Careage, the back room which is secure? Oh that would be heaven on earth. Well, actually, if Careage hired Joe and Bob and Tammy and Nicole and some more of the staff on her team, then it would be heaven on earth -- they all are brilliant and amazing at what they do, and how they care for and about everyone, but most importantly, Mom. They all know she's special, and can recognize her sense of humor. They are the best people, honestly. They make Mom's being there palatable for her, but prolly even more for me, because I know there are loving and professional people there with and for her. It's hard enough to live with the reality that she's there, but add the staff, and it makes it less guilt-inducing, and I feel less the failure for her care. Stellar employees, especially E-8, I can't speak to any other wards. We still want to have a "picnic" with Doris, we missed both Mother's days...she's a sweetheart, and we want to spend some time with her and have her be out of her facility too -- although it's an assisted living home, with 4-6 people max living there, so it's nicer and more intimate. Well, the only other news, is that Jenny may be driving here for her reunion, so that means some more Coale-people and Valdez-people will be here! We already have dibs on the kids one night, and having a BBQ here. Now it's time to cross fingers etc. Physically, I'm taking pain pills daily, which is too much, but my left side is killer. The gashed foot is pretty well healed [no puns now] but it still is tender. I've no clue what this pain is about, and why so HUGE. I need to reach Mandy and co., and see if its time for a Clear Passage trip. Ooops, one more major Mom thing, she was reading way better, even potentially "hard" words like 'mocha' etc. which is exciting to see her recoup some of that loss. I love my Mother sooooo much. I miss her. I need her, and pray she'll find herself feeling well and living nearby soonest.
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