Well the new year so far has brought cold cold cold and a blizzard. I am blessed to say that Lady and I are safe and warm - we never lost power (only satellite) or heat. I knew the storm was bad when many bars and restaurants closed the day of the storm. Neither Lady nor I enjoyed the howling wind, but at least we did not have any damage. We had more slush and snow, but the harbor flooded and there are some phenomenal pictures of the area. There are still many icy streets as its been too cold for the road treatments to work. Of course, being New England, it does not stop us from going and doing what we need to do. Lady and I are walking, but not as long or as far (I feel like a penguin when I walk as I try not to slip or fall). I nodded off the afternoon of the storm and suddenly heard a snow blower. I jumped up as I just knew that my elderly neighbor was out there taking care of business. I looked out the window and sure enough he was clearing the front of my driveway (I must have slept through him clearing his own). I quickly got dressed (seems to take forever these days with all the layers) and ran outside to help him. I then helped with another driveway. I made sure he took a break went inside to rest a bit. I saw him out the next day clearing another neighbors driveway as her son did not come to assist. He is one stubborn coot, but he gets a kick out of me helping him. The only time I really mind the cold and ice is walking Lady as I'm trying to be sure her paws are good and neither or us end up down for the count.
I'm afraid my friends and family further south had more issues than I had. The states and towns just can't handle winter storms and many roads were not treated. One cousin told me they have been in the house since Wednesday in South Carolina and schools have been closed. Also, who wants to live in Florida and deal with temperatures way below normal? After all, people move south to get away from all this.
Other than the storm, my week went fairly well. The decorations have been put away or moved to the porch to be taken to the shed (blocked by ice/snow). A little bit of organization and purging completed...more to do on that front, but I'm making some progress. Meditation class was great and I so look forward to these weekly sessions. I may never have met the other people (except the facilitator) before we started this journey together, but wow what an energetic group we are. I hope you have the opportunity to try something like this at some point.
I was a bit shaken on Friday when my mom mentioned my dad/papa for the first time in months. It was what she said and how she said it that threw me. She actually called him "your father" which also meant to me she realized who I was that day (does not always happen). I was stunned to say the least and just went along with her. She did tell me at one point to leave (nurse heard her and just looked at me), because she said, "go be with your father." I said ok I will in a while. Then she was quiet and did not mention him any further. I did look around to see if I could find any symbols that dad was around, but only felt his love in my heart and felt comforted. The same day, mom looked across the room at a young, tiny CNA and said, "that little bitch!" I said mom! I said why would you say that, so she said it again. I called the CNA over and told her, she responded with yes your mom was not happy with me this morning when I got her up and ready, but we will be friends later. So she looked at my mom and said, will we be friends tomorrow and my mom said, yes OK! My mom is definitely not the morning person she was when I was young. Although the staff does not want to leave her in bed, when she fights them, they let her roll to her side and go back to sleep. Sometimes when I get there, they will ask me to try to get her to agree to get up. I have to say, once she's up she is normally fine, but I think the overall process is exhausting to her and many others. After all, she can not do it for herself. Alz is a strange disease that is so full of ups and downs for both the patient and the family.
I want to talk about hugs! I forgot to mention this last week. I went to a local restaurant where the menu board in the window listed the daily specials and then said, Hugs are free. I kind of chuckled at that, but did not say anything. You know me the observer so as I was reading, I also looked around. The woman server was so friendly and warm with all the customers. So as I listened to parts of conversations I thought these must be the regulars. As she had been in the kitchen when one man left she ran to the parking lot and gave him his hug. Again, I thought must be a regular as he willingly stopped and hugged her back. She moved constantly with coffee, food and conversation. I heard her ask the table of two women behind me as they were leaving if they wanted hugs and they gladly took them as well. So when it was my time to go, she asked me and I said sure I like hugs. Well, I have not felt a hug that warm and embracing in a long time-especially from someone I did not know. I said I think hugs are important and you are definitely a hugger! I could feel her energy coming through. She wants to connect with others and what a fantastic way to do it. Have you ever received a warm hug from a stranger and thought "WOW"???
I'm going to leave it here for today. I just heard the maintenance truck come through so I hope they sanded the service road where I walk Lady. We keep walking in the snowy parts because the road itself is icy. I hope you have a good week...think good thoughts. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"There's something in a simple hug That always warms the heart, It welcomes us back home And makes it easier to part.... " - Johnny Ray Ryder, Jr.
"Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism. " - Leo Buscaglia
"If you're angry at a loved one, hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug - which is all the more reason to do so. It's hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that's precisely what happens when we hug each other. " - Walter Anderson