Today is my mom's 85th birthday. I am of mixed feelings. I am in awe as I think of all that she has seen and gone through in her life. All the changes including technology - I remember my dad would have the latest computer or printer and my mom would say: "You won't find my fingerprints on any of that so he can't blame me if it does not work. I won't even dust it!" We would laugh and laugh. I am also very sad, as my mom has no idea it's her birthday. I am grateful that the hospice social worker brought a small cake on Friday and the hospice nurse brought three pink roses (one for my mom, one for my dad, and one for God). I'll give mom extra TLC today and a cupcake or two.
My mom has been home for six months now. We have our routine on many days. I'm not sure what I expected, but there definitely have been more ups than downs. Yes, I'm worn, but the blessings far outweigh anything else. I learn something new almost every day whether it's about me or my mom. A sad moment this past week as I see another step in our journey. For the first time mom was not engaged when Chaplain Jim came and played his guitar. He sang/played some of her favorite songs and she did not tap her feet, bob her head or sing the words. I can honestly say that as I held her hands, my eyes leaked a few times.
Although I have not felt my dad's presence lately, I know he is here with mom. A little funny story from yesterday: The aid I have on Saturday's is highly attuned energy wise and spirit wise. She may be young, but she has an old soul so to speak. I came in from my Saturday night at Market Basket and she greeted me with, "did your dad wear a lot of cologne like Old Spice?" I said yes, it was his favorite, he had a few others, but always went back to Old Spice. She said, "well he's here!" I was sitting with your mom, reading my tablet when there was this very strong smell of Old Spice. I looked around and even came out to the kitchen as I thought someone came into the house. I could not find anyone and as I sat reading, I felt someone look over my shoulder as if to say, "what's that?" We both chuckled and smiled. Thank goodness she does not spook easily. I was at a family reunion type event yesterday with my dad's family. I got to meet several cousins for the first time and reconnect with others. I spent a lot of time talking about my dad and grandmother (a cousin's husband worked with her long before he was part of the family), so I think dad let me know he was around.
Have you ever met your doppelganger? Yesterday, at the family event, I had people who told me that I looked like someone or they thought I was someone else (actually two people). So it was fun to see my cousins and figure out who several of us look like and even found a doppelganger of my nephew...red hair and beard included. We spent a lovely afternoon outlining the family tree and chatting away. We even learned the real names of some learned the real names vice the nicknames of some cousins. Of course, many of us are spread far and wide across the country and into Ireland and then some of us are only minutes apart. This was only a small portion of the family that gathered, but I can't imagine after reviewing some of the family tree what it would take to gather many more of us. Social media will keep many of us connected. It was a pleasant afternoon.
The energy of weather changes, storms, etc. have driven Lady crazy. She sometimes just wanders the house back and forth as she can't settle. When we go outside, she is undecided about which way to go. She definitely knows when she does not want to go as she sits her butt down and refuses to move. She does not care that I want to walk to the dumpster or pick up the mail...LOL! She definitely shadows me in the house and I have to be careful because she sneaks up on me. In the house, she does not wear a collar so no noise when she's roaming. Normally, she has signs for when she needs to go out, but this past week her signals were off.
Finished reading "CAPTIVE IN IRAN" by Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh. A true story of two christian women imprisoned in Tehran's Evin Prison. All I can say is OMG, not sure I could have survived what these two women went through for their faith. This book was recommended by someone in the book challenge I was involved with on FB. So many good books were recommended, I hope to eventually read many of them. What are you reading?
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
23 Autumn Equinox - Fall begins! - date varies
23 Checkers Day
23 Dog in Politics Day
23 Sukkot - begins at sundown, date varies
24 National Cherries Jubilee Day
25 National Comic Book Day
26 Johnny Appleseed Day
27 Crush a Can Day
28 Ask a Stupid Question Day (one of my favorite days)
28 National Good Neighbor Day - Always September 28, previously the 4th Sunday in month
28 Native American Day - fourth Friday of the month
29 Confucius Day - Try your luck. Get a Fortune Cookie.
30 National Mud Pack Day
I am going to leave it here for today. Time to finish my first cup of coffee (already cold) and grab a hoodie...LOL! I need to get moving and get the day going. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
"A good heart is better than all the heads in the world." Edward Bulwer-Lytton
"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." Babe Ruth