I have been feeling very spiritual for the past few days. I do not know if it was the weather and gorgeous scenery of the past few days that had me feeling this way. I was at church this morning and behind the alter there are floor length clear windows. It was so beautiful looking out.and the snow covered trees. There was a sad event a few towns over on Friday when a six year old girl was killed when a branch feel off the tree in her backyard. I thought about her this morning as I looked out and suddenly I thought, God needed another angel and she will be helping others for a long time. I said a few special prayers this morning.
I'm spending February in Plymouth with papa. We have visited mema every day - even in the snowstorm. As I have mentioned previously papa has a driver on Monday and Friday. Friday he said to me have your sister call Debbie (Driver) to let her know not to come as the weather is too bad for her to be on the road. You can take me or call a taxi." I thought to myself, so it's ok for me to be on the road, but not your driver...hmmm...not sure what to make of that. I told him I would take him because with the bad weather taxis may not be available or will charge extra fees. It was a little slippery on the way home, but I was surprised at how well the car handled the roads. It made papa happy that his visit was not interrupted. Mema tells him to stay home, but he won't listen.
I do see changes in papa and mema when I visit. Whether it be moving a little slower, asking the same question again and again or not remembering things here and there. Mema was a little feisty the other day and I called her crabby. She said if you keep asking me questions I'll continue to answer like that. She then closed her eyes for me to leave her alone. I had to laugh and said to the nurse she's cranky today. The nurse said she gets like that once in a while, but we love her. I notice changes in some of the other patients as well. It's such a hard process. Thank goodness so many of the staff are so caring.
There is a family member of another patient and she feels so guilty because she can't be there all the time. She recognizes me and we talk on occasion. I feel sorry for her as her spouse is young to have dementia and is so torn in what to do for him and herself. This family member has to work and she lives quite a bit away that it makes it difficult to drop in for a few minutes. Her spouse does not even acknowledge her presence except to take the candy bar she brings. Her spouse is a wanderer as well and the other day got out of the unit as he is quite quick. I believe he is cognizant enough to figure out the code to the doors and sneaked out. I try to alleviate her guilt and we usually have a nice chat. She asked me the other day how I handle it and I said many times I compartmentalize my life. It's not that I don't think about my parents when I'm not here, but I am able to focus on my life in Virginia when I'm there.
I have to admit I'm a big fan of the Super Bowl. Although my team is not in the game this year, I love all the pre-game fluff. I am watching the Puppy Bowl as I write this and I get a kick out of the puppies. They are so cute! I have been known to watch all the pre-game Super Bowl shows from noon to the game as there are always things to learn. I just hope the game is interesting and I love the commercials. I purposely ignored all the teasers this week about the commercials as I like to see them during the game. How about you?
I am trying to keep my workouts going. My trainer gave me a list of some items and I try to do them a couple of times a week. I don't want to lose my momentum. How about you? Are you in the winter doldrums and having a hard time keeping active? I know there are days I would rather just hibernate for a bit. How do you stay motivated?
I have been reading fun books this past week and catching up on local newspapers. What are you reading? Any recommendations?
I have not abandoned coaching. I have been putting out a few estimates via an app where people indicate they are interested in coaching. We'll see how it goes. I feel like I do a small bit of coaching when dealing with the staff and such at the nursing home. Keeps me in shape for future sessions.
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be" – Marcel Pagnol.
"You are not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor should you feel the world must live up to yours" – F Perl.
"Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you turn your attention to other things, It comes and sits softly on your shoulder." Henry David Thoreau
Referrals are always appreciated.