Dear Mom,
It was so good to see you today! I love your smile and how you light up when you see me.
You looked good. For 94 years young you look younger than some other people I know. Shhh..we will keep that a secret between us.
You asked about Dad..as usual he is traveling for business. You shrugged knowing how often he does this.
I brought you lunch. You were delighted and promises were made to warm it up when lunch time rolled around.
You said you were tired so I left to fetch some items you needed. Toothpaste, tooth brush, socks, washcloths and some new sheets. Easy enough, or so I thought. Turns out full sheets are tough to find. Well tough if you want them to be pretty and soft. I hope you like what I picked. They are soft but I couldn’t find floral so I had to settle for a blue geometric pattern. Hopefully you love the softness more and can understand that floral sheets are hard to find.
I did find some beautiful rose colored washcloths. They are soft and plush. There is nothing worse than washing your face with something akin to sandpaper.
Of course the toothbrush, toothpaste and socks were the easiest except socks in your tiny size are not plentiful but I found them..go me.
I can’t bring everything over until tomorrow. You will be surprised I know since every day is brand new to you. Every minute is fresh with the previous minutes escaping from your memory moments after they pass.
You won’t remember that I even came by today. You might remember your yummy hamburger 🙂 Food seems to be more memorable these days.
You accept that Dad is on a business trip. It would be too painful to remind you every time that he is gone. 4 years today as a matter of fact. You constantly look for him and ask about him. Believe me I wish he was here too but it would be hard for him to see you like this.
I have so many questions that I want to ask but you are unable to answer. I look through past photos…long before I was even in your thoughts as a possibility and I long to know that carefree spirit in the hula skirt or peeking out from behind the shower curtain in your dorm at nursing school. I think we would have been friends and had a grand time together.
How I wish I had paid more attention to your cooking and how you put recipes together. I asked you today but you couldn’t recall. Lost opportunities. Thankfully I have your recipes in your beautiful handwriting that makes me smile.
As I carefully picked out the sheets and washcloths today I wondered why I was being so particular because in my brain I knew it really didn’t matter to you. The color or the pattern, maybe even the softness or thread count were of no consequence.
My heart told me what is true..it matters. It matters to me.
I am thankful you still remember who I am. I am thankful I can see you in person and give you a quick hug. I can brush your hair and tell you I love you.
In that moment it matters. It always will. I picked everything out with love today and that matters.
While I am often sad when I leave your room in Memory Care, knowing you would rather be with Dad, I am thankful I get to tell you I love you one more time.
Love you Mom..bushels and bushels,
Jennifer
Me and Mom on her 80th!!!
