Guest Post: The RLC's Weekly Visit with Mom, or The Week Ending 07/21/2015

As I was out of town this weekend, and unable to visit Mother (we've an appointment this week with the doctor, so that will bring some news, perhaps) I decided it best to have Jean, Mom's diaper buddy, write the post for today.  It's always good to have another perspective!

from over a year ago - happier days, but the RLC still pulls through!
L-R  Mom, Jean Mitchell, Connie Manning

Dear Tony,

Connie and I checked in abut 1:15 at St. Anthony's to see Norma. Mike Manning, the cottage director, came to welcome back
Connie, after her two-month absence recovering from a fall.

We found Norma in her room, and as always, she was glad to see us.  Since Connie is using a walker now, she has her own chair, which was handy in that room with only one chair for visitors. 

We chatted about new revelations about Pluto, looking forward to news stories. Norma said the piano-sized probe sent to learn about Pluto is traveling at 3,000 miles per hour.   At that rate it will be nine years before it is close enough(6,000 miles) to gather data about the non-planet.  She reads her Oregonian.

Norma spoke of some of the mysteries of the universe, as did Connie. I listened and learned.  We agreed that in heaven we will know all the answers to questions we have now.  We did not think there are  people on any planets but our own.

Norma said she was angry with her mother, but did not specify about what.  We asked her why, then she was on to another topic.

Norma spoke of the 19th Avenue house as if she was still there at times, then used the past tense other times.  I asked if her Grandpa Hodges,the editor at The Oregonian, was the one who wrote "that book."

Yes, he wrote "20 Eventful Years," with no hesitation.

Connie told us about a 4-day stay in Providence Hospital about a month after her fall at St.A's (which Norma does not remember). She was having headaches, a sign of problems, so had to stay in hospital for observation. I don't know what results there were from the tests, but Connie feels fine now.

Norma offered us Diet Pepsi, none of which was in the fridge, but atop it in the long box it came in.

I got paper cups and ice from the little kitchen off the great room, and we shared two cans among the three of us.  There were no oranges there; they can sometimes be found in a cupboard.

I put the white and the red dahlias in two vases.  Norma's windowsills have several flowers, real and fake, with lots of color. We talked about a way to give her a better view of the garden. I mentioned cup hooks.

We went outside, sat on the bench in the sun.  Josepha brought us each a popsicle, then I got wet paper towels to wipe off our sticky fingers.  Later Josepha brought us each a big cookie, then a glass of juice.  Norma drank half her juice, then said I should drink the rest.  I refused politely. We are treated very well at St. A's.

Outside we admired trees, plants and flowers, especially the lovely varieties of hostas not far from Norma's room.

Norma said she would come with us when we said it was time to leave.We said we could not take her; I reminded her dinner would be soon.  She was okay with that, unlike many other times when she really wants to leave with us.  We left after 4 pm.

Connie saw some decline in Norma's condition. But some of Norma's conversation was sensible and interesting.  It was a good visit. Norma was alert most of the time, closed her eyes in the warmth outside at times.

Blessings,

Jean

Note:  This trio of friends has that type of friendship where they hadn't seen each other in years, but stayed in touch through notes, mail, calls, and such.  When they used to get together it was a gabfest of great glee!  It's so nice they're there for each other when the ocassion arises!