I had a good week overall and I hope you did as well. I spent most of the week in Plymouth finishing up my month long stay. Have you ever noticed that the closer you get to traveling the more things need to be done at the last minute? I know I do, it's like my mind goes into overdrive and I have the need to get things done. I was checking the pantry, cleaning out the fridge and freezer to be sure papa and Lady have food while I'm gone. Then papa remembers things he wanted me to get done, but forgot to mention earlier in the month. I get done what I can and then leave a few things for my next visit. If papa does not want to wait, he will either tell my sister or work with the neighbors to hire someone. What do you do when you can't get things done?
My emotions were up and down this past week as they usually are when I'm with family. My mom/mema had a great week - she was very excited that Shamus came to visit. Yes, Famous Shamus returned from Germany and came to visit his mema. Of course, mema teared up which got the rest of us all teary including the staff. The staff knew he was coming so they did their best to give us some private space to have lunch. They do not have private family space although I have heard they are working on it - I even provided some recommendations from a family perspective.
It is sad in many ways when you watch the patients in the nursing home. One woman passed while I was in Texas. She was 93 and was very sweet. Two patients ended up in the hospital while I was away, one fell and one was very sick with an internal rupture. They both returned while I was there. It is amazing the sheer happiness you feel when you see them return. The staff and other patients were all joyous at their return. They both seemed happy to be home in their own way.
I went to a concert at the nursing home this week. Papa said we had to attend as some of his neighbors were members of the choral group. My mom was so excited to see some of her neighbors and people she remembered from the senior center. She sang along, danced in her chair, clapped her hands and just had an overall good time. There were quite a few people at the concert which was nice to see so many people out of their normal places. The singing group was very good and they usually perform at nursing homes throughout the area over the spring/summer months.
More and more I am reading reports and seeing first hand the impact of music and dance on people with Alzheimer's. It is amazing to see the calmness that comes over the room at lunch time when they play music from the 40s and 50s. This is the time period that many of these people remember. I have seen some of the patients even with their walkers swinging their hips and taking a few dance steps. They all get excited when someone is coming in to play or sing. I belong to a Caregivers group on FB and is has both professional and home care givers. The postings are across the board, questions to the group, requests for prayers, pictures, articles about all different diseases and wonderful pictures. I learn many things from this group and hopefully on occasion I provide some insight.
I have to admit that last week after writing about family and keeping in touch that I ran out of time this past week to reach out to anyone. As I write this I'm thinking did you run out of time or did you just chicken out? Good question. Logically, I did run out of time trying to get things done. Yet, in my hear I hear myself saying you found excuses not to reach out. WOW what a breakthrough from down deep! Have you ever done this? Rationalize something so you don't have to dig any deeper?
When I arrived in Virginia on late Friday afternoon the first place I went to with my BFF was our favorite restaurant for some dinner. It felt so good to be home - relaxing over dinner, catching up and eating some really good food. The staff there is very nice and the manager always comes over to say hello and have a chat. I'm here for the month, I wonder how many times I'll be eating at my favorite restaurant (at least sometimes I try different selections)..LOL!!!
I did not work out a lot during the past month so I was excited to jump back in yesterday. I'll have the next few weeks to get myself back in the game and see/feel the impact. When I don't work out I feel different, the joints ache, I don't feel balanced, I get lazy and don't enjoy that feeling. How do you feel when you don't follow your routine?
Happy Birthday shout out to my friend Margaret. Hope you have a wonderful day!
I am going to leave it here for today. I have to do some work for my other business and get stuff done. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care. Remember to express gratitude. Chat soon. Marie
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Confucius
"Infuse your life with action. Don't wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen... yourself, right now, right down here on Earth." Bradley Whitford
"A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." Joseph Smith Jr.