Mothers

I mentioned earlier that Mom lives with me. A few years ago, she became ill, was hospitalized, and seemed to become increasingly confused after being discharged. It was then I decided she needed some supervision, taking her medications, and doing those day to day activities. I now know she has Alzheimers dementia. That means, we have our "good" days and our "not so good" days. If you were to spend 15 or 20 minutes chatting with her, you would think she is ok. However, she is really no longer "my mom". It is strange when the child becomes the caretaker for the parent. My kids help me often; Lynnsey cleans Mom's room, and helps with showering, hair styling, and those "girl" things. My son's take her for rides and play cards with her.
"GG" and my granddaughter, Michaela, argue over coloring books!

Mom was a very smart kid in school. She graduated near the top of her class, then worked a full time job for a while, before joining the WACS during World War II. She had wanted to become a nurse, but her parents did not "approve" of that career choice, so Mom never made it to nursing school. I guess money was tight in those days and she just could not afford it without her parents help.

My mother was a "stylin" lady. She used to tell me how she would always buy outfits, complete with shoes, undies and coordinating accessories! She enjoyed sewing, and would stay up till the wee hours of the morning making doll clothes for my Barbie.
I would awake to find my doll, dressed to the teeth, many mornings.

She did not meet and marry my dad till her late 20's. My dad was quite a bit older than she. He was 40, the youngest of several children born to my grandparents. He had 8 older sisters, and one twin brother, who all seemed to "guide" his life. His family was a bit skeptical when he married mom (they were strict Catholics; she a Methodist), and so much younger, but over the years Mom won them all over with her charm.
Funny thing, though, it was Mom who made sure I was "raised" Catholic, and it
was she who brought me to Mass every Sunday.

I have no siblings, due to miscarriages after me, and my mom was determined I would NOT be a "spoiled" ONLY child. I think back and believe I actually had LESS than many kids in my neighborhood. Seems to me, in my younger years, I was denied a lot of things, because no one was going to say "Marsha is spoiled!"

She rarely knows the day of the week, and really has no idea of the season or the year. She has forgotten that most of her family and friends have passed, and often confuses our names. However, to make the "best" of this situation, I often find myself laughing over her confusion. A short example for you ... last weekend mom was sitting at the kitchen table playing solitaire as I was doing some cleaning. Our conversation went something like this ... Mom: "I haven't seen Lynnsey in a while." Me:
"No, she is busy with work and her own life, but visits when she can." Mom: "Is she still seeing Ben?" Me: "yes", Mom: "How nice; they make a cute couple." Mom: "You said she moved to an apartment on Fuller Road (true). Does she like it there?", Me: "Yes, she has a lovely apartment." Mom: "Now, is her dad, David?", Me: "Yes" ... a short time passes, and I am thankful that today is a "good" day, THEN, Mom said ... "Now, tell me, who is her mother???!!!". Well, I thought I was going to wet myself, and was giggling inside! My simple answer ..."I am!" ... Mom: "oh?"

So, the days pass, she and I share many "Good Morning's!" throughout the day,
and I "miss" my mother. Thankfully, I have memories to scrap!

Here is a layout of Mom ... and a quickpage for you. Maybe YOU, too, want to scrap your Mother ... and thanks for "listening" to my rambling.

Remember, download the link today; it will only last till tomorrow.
(sorry, this link has expired)