Overall, a good week. I did get a few walks in during the week, but Lady has become very picky about when and how long she will walk. She was a bit peeved with me last night because I was not ready for bed/walk at our normal time. She paced and got up/down from the couch to let me know it was time. It was warm a few days so she did not want to walk. Then I realized she was staying closer to the house when she knows there is no one sitting with my mom. Although she may not be my mom's dog, Lady keeps an eye out for her. I have to laugh when my mom sees her roaming the floor and will look at me and say, "not my dog." I respond no she's mine. But my mom has started to talk to the dog a little so that's progress. A few new behaviors from my mom this past week, but we got through them. She is still strong as an ox so when she squeezes your hand or pinches....I know it!
I've been thinking about my grandmother (my father's mother) a lot lately. She was a tremendously strong woman - ahead of her time in many ways. She taught me so much about strength, the working world and respect as well as so many other life lessons. My grandmother passed away over 30 years ago from cancer and there are days when I hear her voice clearly guiding me. She lived with us for many years and provided so much guidance. During the past few months of her life, I visited with her for the last time as I was home on vacation for a few days. She had a bad day and she said to me, "I don't know why people ask you how you are? They really don't want to know. They just want you to say fine and/or good and that's it. They don't want to know that you are puking or can't hold food down or have diarrhea." I replied that's not true, they care and want to know. She responded with, "even my relatives don't want to know, when they call, they just want me to say I'm fine. If I start to say anything other than that, they have to go." I remember being so sad at the time. Of course, over the years since, I have learned that she was right in many ways. How many times have you just wanted to say hi; I'm fine and kept moving? I do this often because I don't want to burden others as I don't know what's happening in their lives. I also do it because I hear my grandmother's voice in my head.
Also, sometimes I believe, in my case, when I find an ear that appears to be listening, I feel like I babble on (almost like I'm doing in this blog today) and they grow tired of me quickly. I know, sometimes I realize I have just hogged the entire conversation. Is it because I'm having an adult conversation for the first time in days? Perhaps.
When I worked I said Good Morning or hello to many people every day. Every time I passed someone in the hall, I would acknowledge them with a word or two. I believe that we many want to be acknowledged at least with a kind word or a smile. Who wants to walk around with their head down looking at the ground all the time? Sometimes I specifically spoke to the person with their head down to give them a reason to look up. As I walk with Lady I tend to say at least "hi" to all I pass and wave to those in cars that drive by. I do love the looks I get sometimes from the other people. It may not be a conversation, but it's an acknowledgement of another human being.
It's the human connection that makes us "us" so to speak. I saw it over the past few years being around dementia/alz patients. When I took the time to speak to a person directly, softly, and respectfully, I was amazed at the connection as well as the stories that emerged. It was definitely "listening" that was my greatest gift to them. Now I need to be sure I listen to others, difficult to do when my mind goes a hundred miles an hour, but I try to calm the mind and truly listen to another person.
I wish I could say I finished a book, but I can say I only have three chapters to go...:LOL! Perhaps next week I'll have more to report now that most shows have completed for the season.
A big shout out to my dear friend Margaret who celebrates a birthday tomorrow. I'll be there spirit for dinner tonight!
Enough babbling for today. I need to start breakfast and get things moving here. I hope you have a good week! Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm and genuine people." - Tena Desae
"People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." - John C. Maxwell
"Give light and people will find the way." - Ella Baker