I'm so Glad We had this Time Together

By -
 Al wanted to learn to crochet over Christmas.
Jokes on me.  I crocheted this square last night.
My little square charity work is slowly growing. 
I'm doing something wonky at the join, so I'll be looking at the you tube site again today.
 
Friends Nick and Dayna gave me 
WHISKERS ON KITTENS for Christmas. 
Can you say Purr fect? 

So last night when I visited my mom, 
she was as sweet as ever.
Her language and commands of words and syllables has drastically changed over the last month. 
Much of what she says can't be deciphered.
I just pretend I understand her and go with the tone.

MY very wise friend Abby told me you have to think of child development in reverse with Alzheimers. 
So babbling...is where she is headed.

I had just seen Carol Burnett on TV last week.
I told mom I saw her. 
Then I started to sing, 
IM SO GLAD WE HAD THIS TIME
and my mom joined in
TOGETHER.
Just to have a laugh and sing a song.
Seems we just get started and before you know it
comes the time we have to say so long. 

It was a joy.  

Comments

Katherine said…
You have touched my heart with your time with your dear Mother!! You are a precious and dear daughter to be so loving and sensitive with her. I have friends who just can't deal with their parent's condition and so they stay away as much as possible. Such a shame and loss!! This time together is going to mean so much to you in the years ahead. My prayers are with you both.

I don't crochet but yours looks very straight and pretty to me. Keep working at it!
11:09 AM
Tired Teacher said…
I love that your visits with your Mom are enjoyable. I like how you pick up on the tone and go with it - no pressure for her and for you. Tuck those moments in your heart.

Ah, crochet: I've tried, but I simply don't enjoy it.

During the winter, there is always a Yankee candle burning when I'm home. The candle this month is Apple Cider.
11:21 AM
Vera said…
I love your stories of your visits with your Mom. I love how your attitude is so positive. I'm still burning pine-scented candles. What does the Whiskers on Kittens candle smell like? Hmmm crochet...I made an afghan in college, but that was 40+ years ago and I have not picked up a hook since. I think I need to get better at knitting before I attempt picking up a hook again. But, I would love to learn to hook rugs....
11:50 AM
Bridget said…
What loveliness between you and your mother! I'm glad she still sings. :-)

You are WAY ahead of me on crochet - I can do a chain. That's it.
1:43 PM
Betsy said…
I love to crochet. I knit too, but since crochet and I have been together since I was 7, I always seem to go back to it. How sweet of you to spend time with your mother and just be there for her in whatever stage she's in at the time. It brought tears to my eyes. My mother died very unexpectedly of a heart attack when I was just 29 years old. Goodness I needed my mother then. My children were small and I needed her advice. Although I'm sure it's very hard to see it right now, you are so blessed to have her still with you.
Blessings, Betsy
3:12 PM
Anonymous said…
I reconnected with your blog recently after a long time away from blogging. I used to have the Stop, Breath, and Knit blog. I stopped when it became so overwhelming for me to take care of my mom with Alzheimers. But anow, a few years later I am finding I need a return to my knitting blogs. I discovered your blog and this post. My mom is in an Alzheimer's unit now. she sometimes can connect with me but other days just stares. I know she is well cared for and happy and safe so that helps me deal. God bless you for being a good daughter too!
5:40 PM
Judy S. said…
I'm glad you and your mom had a good visit. You are an awesome daughter (and friend)! Good job on the crochet! I can do it but don't enjoy it as much as knitting. I must hold the hook wrong as it makes my hand hurt!
5:47 PM
Caffeine Girl said…
You are so sweet with your mom. I love the thought of the two of you singing together. She is lucky to have you.
I tried to teach myself to crochet in December, but I found it confusing. Maybe in the summer I can focus on it better.
6:58 PM
Teresa Kasner said…
I'm so glad you spend lots of time with your Mom. My two sisters and I took our mom out for lunch or visited her together every single week during her last several years. It was a long drive for me but worth it. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
8:20 PM
Araignee said…
Daddio is in the same place now. He makes little sense and makes up sounds and words when he is frustrated. I cried through his care plan meeting last week because his decline has been so rapid. They recommended I find a support group. I don't need one because almost everyone I know is going through this in some way. I get plenty of support. What I need is peace of mind and that's not going to happen until he finds peace.
As for that candle, I have that too. I have the whole set of The Sound of Music scents they put out last year and I love them. They are perfect for the after the holiday blahs.
8:39 PM
Unknown said…
My mother suffered from dementia the last several years of her life and toward the end was nearly mute. Even so, she NEVER lost the ability to sing songs she loved and could remember the words perfectly. Keep singing and cherish the music!
8:42 AM
Delighted Hands said…
Good job on the crochet!
My heart goes out to you with your Mom.
I'm glad you found a connect through the song...
8:57 AM
Amy at love made my home said…
They say that music can be a good stimulus for those with Alzheimer's etc so it seems to be true for your Mom! I am so sorry for her and you though. xx
1:12 PM
Stefanie said…
How cute you and your mum were singing together, that that song triggered her memory and she was able to pull out the lyrics. You friend had a good observation of Alzheimer's. What does Whiskers on Kittens smell like? Crochet takes some getting used to. Make sure you stretch your hands and fingers a bit. Many of we, knitters, feel the strain from even basic crochet.
2:52 PM
kathy b said…
FOR all who asked....Whiskers on Kittens has a very soft scent. CleAN.
3:19 PM
Meredith said…
You are staying positive through all of this and I know that is hard. My Mother had dementia, I think she always recognized me but wasn't able to speak for a long time before she passed away, it was so hard.
Hugs,
Meredith
2:55 PM
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