Memorial at the Beach – Day 9 ‘Take the darn coat, Mom!’
Upon picking mom up at 7am, to take her to the ferry terminal, the following conversation took place: Mom: “Did you bring the little white jacket I left at your house?” Me: “Yes.” Mom: “Can you get it?” Me: “Mom, it’s already in the car!” Mom: “Oh, that’s right.” With a slight laugh. Me, while […]
Memorial at the Beach – Day Eight
Mom and I had a good evening. We had an easy dinner much later than she preferred, based on her comments about how late it was getting. Still, she enjoyed both dinner, our general conversation, and schooling me on how once we have our hardwood installed, we need to place carpets all over it, and […]
Memorial at the Beach – Follow Up
The following are observations from our nine days together: * A year ago, on our way to Montana, mom napped practically the entire time we were on the road. This trip, while shorter, she was wide awake 95% of the time. She was FULL of commentary about Everything, most of which made for […]
Memorial at the Beach – Day Five
As folks have arrived for the gathering to honor my late father-in-law, many of them fondly greeted mom. She either asked me to remind her of their names (or who they are, and then says, “Oh Yes, yes!” but I don’t think she recalls everyone), or waited for context or a name to place them […]
Memorial at the Beach – Days Three & Four
Mom continues to do pretty good. She is enjoying all the social contact. When I’m near enough to her to overhear what she’s saying, it’s challenging for me to continue with my own conversations as I detect the continued ‘rampant spread of misinformation.’ I am learning to let go of the need to make sure […]
Memorial at the Beach – Day Two
On our way to the coast, mom and I stopped in at daughter #2’s work to swap cars with her. My daughter’s little SUV is much more comfortable for mom to get in and out of than my car. We were able to tour my daughter’s new building (assisted living). When mom paused and asked, […]
Memorial at the Beach – Day One
After uncountable phone calls and emails confirming the day, date & which boat mom needed to take, the day arrived. One of mom’s neighbors alleviated my concerns by confirming that she was the one who was going to get mom to the boat on time. Our drive back was productive and lengthy. We stopped at […]
Memorial at the Beach – Days Six & Seven – Anesthesia
On our last night at the beach (Sunday) my husband walked my mom up to her trailer. When it came up in their conversation that we were leaving the next day, mom went sideways on him, insisting that I’d told her we were leaving on Tuesday or Wednesday. She spun on her heel, and, in […]
Lying – Inconclusive
This evening, mom again claimed she didn’t receive my resent email. She partially got caught in my ‘lie detector,’ but not enough for me to make hard conclusions. I cheerfully told her I’d print out my note, and hand it to her when I pick her up a week from today. That sounded good to […]
Lying…
Mom claims there’s no new email from me. I know my resent email made it to her ISP. Sure, she could have deleted it accidentally as it downloaded to her computer, but I seriously doubt it. I have resent, again, but this time there is a sticky little trap built in. It will tell me […]
Dementia Dance - Travels with Mom 