Episode 70 - Make mine a double


I was going to write an episode all weekend.  But the weekend got away. I wanted to write about the wonderful visit we had with Mom last Thursday. Sitting in the hospital now, I'm going to take the time to do so.  There won't be many more episodes to be written -  and I'm not ready for the final chapter.  So I'm taking another dose of therapy.

We arrived at the care center at our usual time (shortly before supper) and found Mom and Harriet sitting in the dining room.  Mom was singing... not any particular song - she was  just making it up as she went along (and doing quite well).  She made us smile and even laugh as she was (as some might say) "on a roll."  In her usual fashion, she abandoned us temporarily as she maneuvered her wheel chair down a hallway and back.  Since returning from the hospital a couple weeks ago, she's been using a wheelchair, which allows her mobility and minimizes the possibility of falls.  There's still an alarm attached, should she try to get out - but a Velcro seat belt is secured to discourage that venture.


I asked the nurse how long she'd been singing.  "She started yesterday afternoon..."  Harriet held up her hand and made an open and close motion (like the chicken dance) signaling Mom had been quite chatty.  Not that she isn't always (and that the nut falls close to the tree) but she was quite delightful.  She wasn't bossy, she had no complaints.... We asked her questions and she sang us her answers.  A gentleman walked by us, cast her a look - and she gave him a look of her own and said, "Why don't you SMILE?!"  Harriet repeated the chicken dance hand sign.


I might mention that she was not only singing, but directing (in perfect time to her music).  Mom studied music in college and directed a couple different community bands "back in the day."  She waved her crooked finger in the air, laughed, sang, marched (in place) and then off she went down the hall - evidently to spread the joy.  This was a stark contrast to the times we'd witnessed her chasing down staff to keep them on task or lament her lack of ability to "get them organized."


While Mom was on her parade route... I met another resident, Leota.  She asked me how we (Mom and I) were related and I said I was her daughter.   We chatted.  She commented Mom talks a lot.  I wanted to say, "She sings too"  Leota told me about her life before coming into the care center.  As I listened I thought to myself... "I think I have found my fourth Golden Girl" (Grandma, Harriet, Ethel and now Leota).  We continued to visit and then she told me about knowing Grandma's daughter. Huh?  "Yes, I've known her since she was a child."


Me:  You have?
Leota:  Yes.
Me:  That's me ... I'm her...  I'm her daughter.


Leota is silent as she possibly rethinks her last statement.  DH says to me later, "When are you going to learn? You fall for them every time?"  It's true.


The Golden Girls reassembled as suppertime drew near.  Grandma was still singing.  The nurse came around with medications. DH smiled, pointed at Grandma and said, "I'll take what she's having..."


I added, "Make mine a double."


So ends Episode 70