Abba's Girl

My mother died peacefully in her sleep Sunday night. My real mother was gone a long time ago due to Alzheimer's Disease, but I still loved the woman left in her place. I am so thankful she is no longer suffering. I am beginning to relax a little and not jump when the phone rings and can turn off my phone if I so choose for the 1st time since 2007. My job as caretaker is done. The to-do list is long but manageable. And because I am keeping a few items of hers, pictures, china, 4 pieces of furniture, I will pare down my belongings further as I transfer things from her house to mine. I picked up the Diet Coke habit again, beginning the day she broke her hip. I will stop drinking them next Monday. I've also consumed pounds of sugar in the last 5 weeks as well. Low sugar diet begins next Monday. I may not be fit for polite society next week! Arrangements for her service are made. The funeral home and church want a picture of her, no one seemed to listen as I said she would...

In 2010, my mother wanted to travel to South Fork, CO where my parents had owned a cabin on the banks of the Rio Grande. Alzheimer's was taking a firm hold on her and I knew travel would be difficult but I decided to go for it. If we did not travel in 2010, it would never happen. She wanted a new suitcase on wheels. So off we went to buy one, she chose red because it would be easy to spot on the conveyor belt in baggage claim. She also wanted to buy me a red suitcase which I did not want but felt I was to let her buy it, she bought 2 red suitcases. We flew to Colorado Springs, rented a car, and drove to Creede, CO where we rented a cabin. My friend Anna Marie joined us. The scenery was spectacular, mom enjoyed herself as much as she could, we drove by the old cabin to take a look. There were a couple of Alzheimer's meltdowns due to being away from home. On our return trip, 5 of us were removed from the flight to lighten the plane. (That makes one feel good about oneself!)...

Wednesday my mother was too weak to sip water through a straw, we gave it to her by the spoonful. Yesterday, she was dressed sitting in a wheelchair, drinking OJ from a small glass and she ate a small serving of Jello. I was thrilled beyond words. She was wearing a 2 piece velour outfit I bought her just after moving her to the Alzheimer's community. She asked me to go find it in blue and told me to go to work.  So...I went to work and I will look for the outfit in blue at lunch today. I am not a "shopper" but I will gladly shop for her. It will be nice to do something normal. I also made a hair appointment to get a couple of highlights during my extended lunch hour today. I mean what self-respecting Native Texan woman lets her roots go during a medical crisis???  (Maybe I'll watch Steel Magnolias tonight.) Once again I read more of her favorite passages and Psalms. A hospice worker read to her yesterday. The CNA's are so kind to her. I am feeling much bett...