Blue Skies...shining on me. Nothing but Blue Skies....
What a lovely day. The temperatures were in the 60's, and all was well with the world.
When I popped in on Mom, she was in very good spirits. She was mobile, able to get up and move about, and she was in a spritely mood.
She had a fear of falling over, though, as we walked to the car, but she held my hand and seemed more her old self, although only fragments shone through - good fragments.
We drove to Connie's house for lunch, and on the way she notice cherry blossoms beginning to sprout on the trees.
"Oh, look!" she exclaimed, "Those trees have flowers!" They did, indeed. This seemed to perk her attitude up even further.
She asked where Dad was buried and I told her. "I wish someone would have taken me there so I would know," she replied.
"You were there, sitting right beside me when he was placed there," I remarked. This seemed to appease her.
Next, she told me that Tony (me, but she often forgets it), Dad, my brothers, Lawrence, and Tom, were going to be going to ....
"Where?" I asked.
"You know. Stop harassing me," even though this was the first time I'd asked...
"What about Chris (my other brother)?"
"Well, you know where he is, and until I have a car, a good acceptable car, then I'll be able to see them, too." I let this one go.
Connie and Jean had seen Mother earlier in the week, and they had a jovial game of Scrabble, with Mom using 8-10 tiles, and forgetting about turn-taking, but as they are such great sports, this didn't spoil the game.
Jean is so wonderful about emailing me the "doings" of the day which gives me a chuckle and an update as to Mom's condition.
We arrived at Connie"s, where we were treated to a wonderful meal of smoked salmon, a lovely veggie and fruit salad, and fresh green beans. It was savored by all.
We had some lovely discussions about life, education, politics, history, current events, and Keurigs. Mom didn't really understand the concept and wanted to take several home with her, rather than sample one using Connie's machine - but it all worked out, and she truly enjoyed the brew.
What was noticeable was Mom's difficulty following the conversation and responding in kind - rather she latched on to one word then went forward with her observations (which were non-sequiturs, but we managed to get her back on track).
She did ask, at one point, whether or not we were attentive to our grandmother. The ladies were very helpful with the positive response I was able to grant.
Mother was full of wit, and even recited her favorite stanza from "The Psalm of Life" by Longfellow.
As we drove home, and she was in such a happy state, we had a very good conversation that felt normal, rather than those in which I must be on my toes to catch what track she's on.
Then, suddenly, she panicked.
"Where's Tony?" she said as she began looking all around the car.
"I'm right here," I replied, trying to keep my eye on the freeway while also attempting to figure out what was happening.
"No, not you. He was here!"
"I'm right here. It's just the two of us."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Just relax. It's all good."
She relaxed (Thank God!).
Could this have been Capgras syndrome rearing its head? She does speak of me in the third person quite frequently, but never has such an incident happened before. I must delve deeper into this phenomenon.
I left her in her room telling her I'd be right back. She was quite agreeable, and I left her door unlocked. After checking with the staff about her return I came back to find the door locked and no one answering.
So, it would seem she began to ready herself for a goodly nap which she richly deserved.
A very good day.
A very positive week.
What a lovely day. The temperatures were in the 60's, and all was well with the world.
When I popped in on Mom, she was in very good spirits. She was mobile, able to get up and move about, and she was in a spritely mood.
She had a fear of falling over, though, as we walked to the car, but she held my hand and seemed more her old self, although only fragments shone through - good fragments.
We drove to Connie's house for lunch, and on the way she notice cherry blossoms beginning to sprout on the trees.
"Oh, look!" she exclaimed, "Those trees have flowers!" They did, indeed. This seemed to perk her attitude up even further.
She asked where Dad was buried and I told her. "I wish someone would have taken me there so I would know," she replied.
"You were there, sitting right beside me when he was placed there," I remarked. This seemed to appease her.
Next, she told me that Tony (me, but she often forgets it), Dad, my brothers, Lawrence, and Tom, were going to be going to ....
"Where?" I asked.
"You know. Stop harassing me," even though this was the first time I'd asked...
"What about Chris (my other brother)?"
"Well, you know where he is, and until I have a car, a good acceptable car, then I'll be able to see them, too." I let this one go.
Connie and Jean had seen Mother earlier in the week, and they had a jovial game of Scrabble, with Mom using 8-10 tiles, and forgetting about turn-taking, but as they are such great sports, this didn't spoil the game.
Jean is so wonderful about emailing me the "doings" of the day which gives me a chuckle and an update as to Mom's condition.
We arrived at Connie"s, where we were treated to a wonderful meal of smoked salmon, a lovely veggie and fruit salad, and fresh green beans. It was savored by all.
We had some lovely discussions about life, education, politics, history, current events, and Keurigs. Mom didn't really understand the concept and wanted to take several home with her, rather than sample one using Connie's machine - but it all worked out, and she truly enjoyed the brew.
 |
| Mom learns about Keurig Pods |
What was noticeable was Mom's difficulty following the conversation and responding in kind - rather she latched on to one word then went forward with her observations (which were non-sequiturs, but we managed to get her back on track).
She did ask, at one point, whether or not we were attentive to our grandmother. The ladies were very helpful with the positive response I was able to grant.
Mother was full of wit, and even recited her favorite stanza from "The Psalm of Life" by Longfellow.
As we drove home, and she was in such a happy state, we had a very good conversation that felt normal, rather than those in which I must be on my toes to catch what track she's on.
 |
| Mom gets goofy! |
Then, suddenly, she panicked.
"Where's Tony?" she said as she began looking all around the car.
"I'm right here," I replied, trying to keep my eye on the freeway while also attempting to figure out what was happening.
"No, not you. He was here!"
"I'm right here. It's just the two of us."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Just relax. It's all good."
She relaxed (Thank God!).
Could this have been Capgras syndrome rearing its head? She does speak of me in the third person quite frequently, but never has such an incident happened before. I must delve deeper into this phenomenon.
I left her in her room telling her I'd be right back. She was quite agreeable, and I left her door unlocked. After checking with the staff about her return I came back to find the door locked and no one answering.
So, it would seem she began to ready herself for a goodly nap which she richly deserved.
A very good day.
A very positive week.
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