The "NET"

I promised to explain the Butterfly Net. I am not sure how dedicated Mom was to butterflies in her younger years but she is daily becoming an absolute fanatic about butterflies! They decorate everything, even her. The staff at the day care she used to go to called her "Butterfly."Her walker was decorated with butterflies. She wore butterfly necklaces and pins - the more the better at the same time. When people notice her butterflies (and they do), Mom has two different stories that change each time she tell them, about butterflies when she was a litte gir. That is the "Butterfly" part. The "NET?" All of you who love us and MOM. It is also My family. We are her net. My husband of 37 years who fully shares - except for the baths - in her care. Our 32 year old special needs daughter, Julie who lives with us and supports us in supporting mom, especially on the tough days. Our daughter, Stacey and her family who live close by and in spite of their grandmother's disdain for them, support us in ways too many ways to enumerate but keep me encouraged and sane. Our daughter, Erin who listens long distance to encourage me. Following is a paragraph from Joe - her son-in-law whose name she knows better than mine! It's his contribution to this effort:

When it became evident that Mom could no longer care for herself, we decided to put her in a home, our home in Texas. She does not like Texas and wants to go back to her life of independence (in Ohio).
Mom is generally ugly to her first grandaughter who lives near us and her first two greatgrandchildren. We sometimes worry about the long term effects of Mom's behaviors on people she is supposed to love. Yet, we believe in the Bible and honoring our mother, even if her mind faileth.
Mom still likes to go to Mass and generally behaves appropriately. She loves babies and children and people who comment on her buttterflies. We try to maintain a routine for her and be available to her 24/7. Most times she is a happy woman in her own world. She loves to tell stories and some of them are mostly true. I intend to do the right things for Mom. So she will be in our home until we can no longer meet her need for health and safety.
Cheryl's comment: And he is my "net."