The Butterfly Net

And the days slip away. Mom has been going through things in her room just really trying to connect things and remember. It isn't working and more memories are slipping away. We look at pictures - the ones of her 70th birthday party. Pictures of recent year Ashley reunions. We came across some pictures that were taken while Deena and I were there for her 70th birthday when we all - mom, Bonnie, Deena and I were going through some things in the attic of her house. Mom had no memory yesterday, of the house, let alone the attic. Mom frequently goes through her treasured wooden brown box of recipes - sorting them and trying to remember. Mom enjoys getting mail and carries it around with her but does not know who it is from. I think it just means a lot to her that there are people somewhere to whom she is important. Little things escape her too. This morning she poured coffee creamer into her glass of water. Joe had a great time with her on that one! When I got home from work, Mom was sitting at her spot at the table going through her bible and all of the cards and pieces of paper - she handed me a recipe for corn chowder that she wanted to make sure I had.

Over dinner I often initiate small memory challenging games like nursery rhymes, songs and names of people and things. Saturday at IHOP she knew Joe's name and her own, but had no idea what mine was and guessed at several very nice names - none of them mine, but nice all the same. I think she settled on Karen for me. Dinnertime banter - always done in a light, humorous spirit. And on the way home, how blessed we were to be loudly singing together to one of the CD's and making up words as we went along!

As you know, I have been trying to get mom to get her hair cut. I have also been trying for more than a week to get her to let me wash her hair also. Well! On Sunday morning, I suggested that I wash her hair before the day got crazy busy. AND she let me know that she wanted to get it cut and they could wash it there! This was at 9:00 in the morning and of course "walk-in" places don't open until noon on Sundays. So, guess where we were at 11:59 that morning? And she got a great haircut! She even looks like the picture on this blog now! You know, we go with the flow and some days it flows faster than others!

So, that's our story today! I so appreciate your comments and prayers and Mom enjoys your mail. (small hint) More of our story to come!