I see crazy people...

A few weeks ago when I took Mom to visit Aunt Chrick at " The Home" I checked in....saw several people....found Aunt chrick...set her and Mom up at a cozy little table so they could visit and decided I was early enough to go visit my daughter who lives only a few miles away.  I look around for someone to tell that I'm leaving for an hour or so and a delightful woman comes up and offers to help.  I explain, she tells me she's been working here at "The Home" now for about 2 years.  I've never met her, she is very nice and helpful and I comment that I am so glad to meet her and will be seeing her again in the fall. She explains that she only works in the summer as she still works at the Department of Human Services during the fall and winter. We had a wonderful conversation...I feel really good about leaving.  She is so attentive to Mom and Aunt Chrick offering to get them tea and a snack while I'm gone. Wow..talk about one on one service...how great is that!

I leave, am gone for about 2 hours, come back and the residents are having dinner. Mom and Aunt Chrick are hooping it up, having a good time and I notice that the caregiver I was so fond of is at another table .  Why ..  she is eating with some other ladies, what dedication, she really loves her job to stay overtime and eat unseasoned food.  I walk up to her table, she jumps up, introduces herself, and now she tells me she was a school teacher and is visiting her sister.  I find that odd ... maybe she has a twin.  No, I go to get a cup of coffee and here she comes again.."Aren't you new here? I am Covia, and I can't find my car....will you help me?". Here comes a real caregiver who takes Ms Covia back to her table.....time for her meds. 
Oh my goodness...I left Mom and Aunt Chrick in the care of a crazy person.

All Skate

I am my Mom.....

I found myself saying today to her...."and if he told you to jump off a bridge would you do that too!"

The Fifth Season

Mom asked a new question today...didn't want to know day, time or month....she wanted to know what season it was..I responded, thinking once again how funny I am with.."Why it FOOTBALL SEASON Mom"
Her reply...Well let's play!

I went outside to play with Mom. This afternoon, we are going to slide down a grass hill on cardboard....and  make a bonfire later. I can hardly see for my tears, but they are tears of joy, for real now...I refuse to be sad on a day when I can play outside with my best friend...

She is in her Fifth Season....(there's a book somewhere inside me)

Georgia on My Mind

David and I went to Lake Hartwell, Georgia to fish the ABA Couples Nationals....before leaving Mom and I had a real girl's day....manicures, pedicures, hair color,,,,,everything to make us special before the trip....Mom was not going with me as I would be fishing every day from sun up to sun down....We went, had a large time, and came back...upon arrival Mom comes over before I can get to her apartment...She walked in and was so glad to see us, couldn't believe how much she missed me and was so glad to see me again....we were gone a week but she felt like she hadn't seen us for months....I being the fast thinker said,"I know Mom....you can't go away like that again...we miss you too much...Did you have fun?". She says, "oh yes, I can't tell you how wonderful that trip was...It was so good for me, but I am so glad to be back home...I love you but I missed you too much....I won't ever leave again"

Time and space...it doesn't exist in Mom's world.....all the guilty feelings I had while away have been lifted....I learn something new everyday from Mom... 

Hurricane Party

New York New York

Mom asked me 20 times today when Hurricaine Irene would be here......she's told me a number of times today that they are closing mass transit and the subways....she was concerned that we would have trouble getting to Daddy at Dialysis.  Several times today I've told her...we will be safe....it's on the coast...we don't have to worry.   Finally I told her New York will be next....they are right in the path. 

Mom looked at me and as sane as could be asked...."Sharon, you do know they don't have hurricianes in New York City don't you?"

How does she do this.....How can that random piece of information come when she can't remember what day it is, what she has eaten, if it's day or night, where she is?
I just need to remember....If I could understand this disease, I could control it......

So we are having our own hurricane party...we are going to consume an entire quart of Breyers Butter Pecan  Ice Cream and 5 Klondike bars,  and 3 orange sherbet push-ups so when we loose our power, our ice cream won't melt.  Oh what fun!!!  

I'll be the one having the Strawberry Daiquiri....

Tattoo Parlor & Parking Permits

Today Mom and I took a Detour on the way home....We pulled in at the Ringmaster..Tattoo and Body Piercing....WHAT FUN!..I thought I would just shake Mom up a little and get a photo....We pull up, I'm making my picture, had her open the car door, and out she pops, in we go, and next thing I know..we are thumbing through sleeves of tattoo designs on the wall.

A charming girl is waiting on us....She shows us her tattoo that she had done across the small of her back (top of her butt) which said Eternity cause when she looks at it she is reminded of her dear Grandmother who passed years ago....She also has a tattoo of her children's names in various places on her...which she didn't show ...The one on her wrist was quite good.it is done in green and turquoise..it can be covered with an oversized watch ...Most important that tatts are put where they can be covered....

Mom is taking all of this in and I am as well....We look at all the designs, I ask if Mom can sit in the chair and let me make her picture and the girl insists that she make the photo cause we are just so darned cute....We made her picture too...

As we are leaving our fun little adventure she asks us to come back when Jim is there because he could make us fake tatts and we could really show Mom's friends up.....Oh what fun!

As we are about a mile down the road...Mom says...."Wasn't this just the best day ever? Do you ever remember when we had more fun? I don't care what that tattoo cost, I think it's the best thing we've ever done....I'm not going to show Daddy yet though...He may not like it....But it was so much fun....I want to go back."

My only regret today was that I did not get the girl's name who was waiting on us....She was so patient and kind and generous with her time...She treated Mom like a princess....As we were leaving she tapped my arm and said...My Grandmother had Altzheimer's....She was not as enjoyable as your Mom while she was sick but I chose to remember the good times....I find on every detour I am not alone in this journey...Everyone has someone who has been affected by Altzheimer's....They all get this crazy look of understanding as soon as they realize and become so compassionate.....It's almost like a secret society....but we don't have to have a crazy handshake because it is apparent....Now if I could just get one of those blue parking plaques to hang from my rear view mirror..