Laura, Barry, Kevin and Joshua came to visit mom today. She knew Laura’s name and recognized the boys and Barry. After a bit, she used all their names. Mom’s CNA told us that, when she walked in to mom’s room this morning, she found mom had moved her leg off the bed and was trying to get up!!! The aide asked her where she was going and mom said, “I have to get up and go upstairs now. I have to leave.” The aide let the nurse know that mom needs a bed alarm now. The CNA also suggested that we put mats around the bed on the floor along with lowering the bed all the way to the floor so that, if mom tries to get up and succeeds, she won’t get hurt. The CNA said that mom told her she would cook for her. Mom talked a lot to Larry and Barry and the boys. The boys did gymnastic tricks for mom and mom said, “Oh boy!!! I’m getting so tired watching you!” I teased her and said that her turn was next and she said, “Yeah, right!” Barry showed mom how to manipulate a ball with her fingertips by using only her fingertips to move the ball up one arm and then down the other. Mom very primitively moved her fingers along the ball. She played catch with Joshua too using a 10 inch ball. Mom was able to toss the ball today --- she wasn’t able to do this yesterday!! Mom also mentioned today, several times, that she was “Getting confused with what I’m saying” or “I’m not making sense” and getting frustrated with herself. While this is sad to hear, it is also encouraging!!! Mom is more and more aware of herself and her surroundings each day. Barry suggested we use a container of rice with small objects in it for mom to try to get the objects out in order to strengthen her dexterity. He also suggested that we place mom’s fingers on the side of our hands and have her press down on our hand with each finger individually in order to strengthen each finger. Terry, Dad and Aunt Sophie came to join us all too. Terry played a puzzle game on the NOOK and also a word search game. Mom was very engaged and engrossed in it. Laura and Terry worked with her. The boys used the white board to write scrambled sentences for mom to unscramble. She unscrambled one and then answered the question. One of mom’s CNAs said that mom was up and awake early this morning…like 8 a.m. and she was looking for “Kathy” (me)…she kept asking where I was. This was the one morning we thought we would let mom sleep late because of all the commotion yesterday being outside so long and the upcoming visitors today. We guessed wrong! Mom usually sleeps at least until 8 or 9 a.m. sometimes longer if we don’t wake her. Mom also told all the aides she wants to go home. The CNAs are happy and sad that mom will be moved to a new floor once the trach is out and they will miss her. We will miss them too! But mom will be home soon or in a better and real rehabilitation center!! At one point, dad asked mom for a kiss and she gave him one, but then he asked for another and mom told him, “Oh, don’t show off now!” and laughed (she gave him one though)! Mom explored things in her pocketbook next. At another point today, mom wanted to cut one of her blankets (doesn’t make sense but she gets this way when she gets tired). Mom was looking for a scissor so Terry made believe she had one with her fingers. Mom said, “No a real scissor” and Laura said she couldn’t have one now so mom said, “What is this, a prison?” Now, when mom gets a “bee in her bonnet” she gets stuck on wanting to do something she persists. At one point, mom went on a kick about Aunt Sophie’s walker—mom wanted it put away and said, “This is going to drive me crazy.” The floor mats and bed alarm were set up this afternoon and are all set for tonight.
Uncle Ray and Irene came to see mom late in the afternoon too. Uncle Ray brought his accordion and played for mom. Aunt Sophie chair danced!!! We all sang together—mom included!!! Uncle Ray began to play, “You are my sunshine” and as soon as mom heard the music, she began to sing the song. We sang, “My darling Clementine” and “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor” and “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain” and Mom’s dad’s favorite, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” among others. Mom sang them all with us. Uncle Ray told mom they had a long ride here with traffic and mom said, “Oh, then you better not stay long and start to go home.” This reminded us all of Grammy…mom’s mother. Uncle Ray and mom reminisced about years ago in Brooklyn when mom made a flat, wooden, life-sized nativity with all the characters and they spoke about going to the Prospect Park Police Stable for hay for the manger!! Uncle Ray asked her what the word is for the 3Wise Men that starts with an M? Mom quickly replied, “Magi.” They told a story about how Grammy didn’t like it when the clothes fell from the line in the backyard and fell in the dirt so she asked Grandpa to cement the entire backyard so the clothes don’t get dirty when they fall!! All that was left was a small strip of dirt where Grammy grew grapes on a small arbor to make jam for us all. We all talked for hours about when mom lived on East 48th Street and then later when Grammy lived in the “country.” Mom remembered so much!!! SO many details!! They spoke Ukranian and mom knew the words they were saying in English! We had such a wonderful time reminiscing and singing the old songs. As we sang and listened to Uncle Ray play the accordian, we were all transported back in time a good 40-45 years ago...to a cozy, family place under the apple trees in Grammy and Poppa's front yard in the "Country" house...with Uncle Twinnys, all us kids, Uncle Mario and Aunt Sophie...Uncle and Aunt Rybak...singing and laughing and eating and dancing....while at other times, we were back on East 48th Street in Grammy and Poppa's basement kitchen or on the front "stoop" doing all the same things. After Uncle Ray and Aunt Irene left, some of mom’s old CNAs came to visit with her. There were 4 CNAs sitting with mom, mom kept telling them to come sit down and talk…so they all did. Mom told them where she used to live in Brooklyn and named all the streets she lived on and the stores she shopped in. It was a wonderful time together. Dad and Aunt Sophie left for dinner and to go home. I left next. Terry put mom to bed. Today was one of those days I will remember for the rest of my life...until my dying breath. What a blessed day. If today was the last day of my life, or for any of us...it would be the best last day ever. I have said it before but it is worth saying again: this journey with mom, as hard as it is and was and continues to be, has been a life changing event that has ended up touching so many people in so many wonderful ways...the wonder of it all still amazes me. The face and love of God abounded among and in us all day today...it was just one of those days. I am so blessed.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
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