Another Update on Mother

So, mother has been in her room in the Fireweed Hall for over a month now, and she’s finally learning how to get herself back to her own room without help. Her memory is not good: she can lose a thought 2 minutes after having it, and engaging in an actual conversation with her is almost impossible. I just let her take the lead and just respond to whatever she happens to say at that moment in time.

Bryan and I delivered a chair to her just today: it’s a nice leather chair that is both a rocker and a recliner. I’m worried that she won’t remember how to operate the recliner part, even though the remote is as simple as you can get it with only two large buttons on it. But I will keep reminding her each time I go visit, so eventually perhaps she might find a way to remember. I may even create a sign to hang on the wall beside her chair that has a picture of the remote and simple instructions on how to use it. She may or may not use it.

We all go visit her as often as we can. Noel has been amazing, going every single day to take her to all the different events that go on. Her favorite has been the Sunday Sing Along, where she and Noel sings all the old hymns that Mother knows from way back. But she also does well in the Art Classes, and who doesn’t love an Ice Cream Float now and then? They even cook a special meal once a month that the resident’s families are invited to, so we can all sit down to dinner together. Also, I try to schedule a Family Gathering once a month to sit with mom and just chat. Whomever can come does, and those who cannot, can make the next one.

One of the first things I did when she moved in there was to reach out to her friends to let them know where she is. Two of them have made a serious effort to visit her as often as they can. Sean and Mom go way back: he is a retired teacher, and she used to help out in his classroom sometimes. Karen and Mom were shooting buddies back when Stan was alive, and she has committed to visiting mother every Friday. I am so thankful for both of them – mother truly enjoys their visits.

Mother still enjoys getting mail, and two people in particular are keeping her well supplied with letters from afar! Linda was mother’s neighbor back when she had the farm but now lives in New Mexico: she sends letters, magazines and whatnot so mother can enjoy perusing the beautiful pictures and hearing all the news from her birthland. Cousin Anna keeps her up on all the news from the Montanna bunch while also keeping in touch with me via email and/or texting.

So, all in all, she is doing well.