TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER UNTIL SHE NEEDS ME NO MORE

..a busy month for mom. Especially since there were two weddings (two of her grandchildren got married.) She thoroughly enjoyed both weddings and was happy to see all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mom with her newly wed grandson.

...with more grandchildren, she likes goofing off, too

Half way through the month she injured her hand. She was riding in my sister’s car. My sister rolled up the window and didn’t notice that my mom’s hand was in the way. So her hand got caught and it peeled some skin off. It was really sad, she had to wear a bandage for a couple of weeks. Now she is feeling better.

Last night I was over at her home for a visit and she was telling me that she was ready for God to take her away and that made me really sad. I know she is very elderly and death is a part of life but, I’m not sure if I’m ready to see her go yet.

Mom is doing good. She sometimes has her own ups and downs but I think it’s normal inside the aging process. I have to admit that I was developing an increasing lack of patient towards her situation. I tried to find reasons about my unquestionable behavior but no answer came up.

Today was my first CNA class. It was good and it deeply touched me. One of the topics that the instructor exposed was our future role as caregivers, with special emphasis on older people. While she was talking about what a loss of independence causes, I thought of mom. I felt anguish and wanted to cry (but I did not) I swallowed my tears and I decided to give her more (quality) time and be more patient. I still have time to show that I love her.

I took this picture of her this evening when I came back from my class. I spent more time talking to her and giving answers to all her repetitive questions. She was happy.

The picture below was taken for her anticipated birthday celebrated on Jun 8, her real one is in July 28.

She loves Piñatas…and shares candies with her great grand kids.

The week of Christmas was really busy. A family get-together on the 25th and a weeding the next day was very emotional for my mom.

Christmas Eve

Hey Mom? Look at the camera please? _{No, she is busy looking at her presents}

_{One more try} Hey Mom! Look at here! _{No, she is busy ending with her dessert}

Finally my sister made my mom look at the camera

Going home, two of my kids goofing off, it started to snow

Weeding Day

Oh NO! What a day! Snow again?

Mom and the bride, both of them look so happy!

The reception place; Heritage Gardens or _{snow gardens?}

I flew with Mom to Atlanta last Friday to be present in my niece bridal shower, who is getting married the last week of December. My sister was busy and she couldn’t pick us up at the airport, therefore, we had to take the Marta. At the beginning Mom was a bit scared but as soon she get into the train and saw a lot of people she was happier.

In each station she was asking me are we home yet? You had to see how happy she was when she finally arrived to the destination point.

Mom and her grand-daughter who is getting married.

Mom at my sister house, happy and ready for dinner.

After the bridal shower I went to New Orleans to visit my hippie friend and came back to Salt Lake only this morning. Mom is staying in Atlanta for a week and in the “event” that she get “bored”, I will have to go back to bring her home this Wednesday :| Now, Paj is really tired, sleepy and ready to hit the sack quite soon because tomorrow is her Monday….lazy Monday.

On July 28 my mom turned 86 years. We had a good time. My sisters from Atlanta and Virginia came to be with us too. Mom had a piñata and had fun trying to break it along with all her great-grandkids. I am grateful because she still is with us and we enjoy her company.

I will get those candies…

Hey kids…leave candies for Granny too!!

Mom (and I) drinking a pop before going home, party is over and YES, she HAD fun :)

The best gift you can give is to be there for the people you love when they are in a time of need. I took care of my mother for 2 years before whe died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. It was 26 years ago on the 15th of April that she died. At the time it was so hard…But the person I am today is because of that time in my life….

I barely got home. I took mom to the eyes doctor for her follow up visit. Her corneal trasplant seems to be working way better, her vision has improved in more than a fifty percent. If everything continues this way, the doctor will prescribe her new glasses in the next visit. After this, we stopped by Applebee’s to have dinner. While I was in there, I thought of how grateful I am for having her with me. She is a very strong lady and wants to live more.

Yes, she fell last week, hit her head, was at the hospital and now is home again. She was lucky this time. It was a hard week for everyone in the family, including her too, of course. Why did she fall? A long story. Thanks goodness she is doing well, for now. I think she is learning the hard way that wandering around without a person by her is not a good idea…sad but so true.

Yesterday for my mother was an “Eye Surgery” day. She had a Corneal Transplant and she is doing well so far. I took her today to her follow-up visit and the doctor is pleased with the results. I have more to tell about this but I need to go and take care of her tonight again. I hope that she can sleep better this time.

Mom enjoyed a dinner concert tonight with my grown children. She loves classical music and was so happy that this time one of her grandsons was in the stage playing for her.