UPDATE ON MOM'S ONGOING CHALLENGES

As Mom's world shrinks around her, I am drawn into it as well. Her limitations keep growing, so I am having to do more as time moves on. When she first moved in, she couldn't cook but could be counted on to do things like make herself breakfast, know what the items were in the cupboards, and have an almost regular conversation. At THIS time, none of that is possible.

She has regressed enough to make me limit what I do away from her, even in the next room. She no longer understands most things, but continues to smile and stay happy. How can I complain about THAT???

It's been difficult to find her things to do. She has always been able to do the dishes, she still obsesses on the trash, and now that nice weather has come around, she hangs the laundry. I notice that it takes her three times longer than it did in the past, but I watch and make sure she isn't overdoing it. That's pretty much the list. She won't watch TV for a long period of time. She always wants to HELP but there is not much she can truly help with.

Some of the biggest challenges lately have been finding a way past the "upsetting" times. They don't happen often, but more frequently. The latest episode was the series of losing things. She would put them down or leave them in a pocket and then not know where to find them. Keys were the most common, since she has her own. She searched all over and got so upset tears started coming out. What could I do but let her know it was no big deal and help her look. I eventually found them after the FOURTH time they got misplaced over the weekend. I am debating what to do next with them. Should I just not tell her I found them and we move on without, or do I put a giant something on the key ring so she can't lose it so easily?? I'll think on it some more...

Since I have the opportunity to see her thought process daily, I realize she is a completely different person now, though one full of compassion, love, and appreciation for the simple things...and WALKER TEXAS RANGER. I miss the Mom that is only in my memories. I miss those times we would talk of the past. I miss those times she spoke of her family, and of her childhood. I miss so much, yet see a woman who continues to find joy in her life and with me.

How did I get so lucky?