A BUMPY RIDE

The sister who lives closest to Mom's new abode has been stopping by daily after work this first week, to see how she is adjusting. The report from Monday evening was "pitiful, but resigned." I told the sibs that was a step in the right direction, since at least she hadn't burst into tears the minute Carolyn opened the door, as she had done for me that morning.

On Tuesday evening she seemed fairly upbeat. The hospice nurse had stopped by, and just raved about how bee-yoo-tee-ful the apartment was - the surest way to Mom's heart! Also, her "companion" Tere (I know, that sounds so Victorian, but what else do you call someone whom you pay to keep her company and drive her around?) was there all day, and Mom couldn't wait to show Carolyn all that they had accomplished. Apparently Tere is looking for another part time job to help supplement, since we aren't giving her as many hours now, but she told my mother she would never quit this one, because she loves her. I know, we're all shocked! Turns out they are a perfect match for one another, since Tere was raised in a country where they treat their aging matriarchs like queens, and would never think of arguing with one, or rolling their eyes at them, the way we do upon occasion (but only when pushed beyond our limits, I swear!).

Wednesday was a mixed bag. My sister arrived that evening to find Mom crying in the dining room, with the sweet little lady next to her patting her arm to console her. Mom told Carolyn that they forgot to come get her for dinner, and she had to come all that way on her walker, so now she was in too much pain to even eat. As it turns out, they didn't really forget her. The aide just hadn't made it to her room yet, but Mom wanted to be there when the doors open at 4:30, and was too impatient to wait her turn.

Now, on the surface, that seems like a bad situation, but I see several positives hidden in there: the fact that a fellow resident was trying to comfort her implies possible friendships forming; her having the gumption to try and do it on her own is something we haven't seen in a very long time; and most of all, the fact that she even knew it was dinner time, and they were late picking her up is quite remarkable. Last time I was there visiting, she couldn't tell you if it was night or day, much less what time it was, or what meal she should be eating! So, I'd call this progress, wouldn't you?