Visiting Mother and Reaoma, Aldi and Lighting Candles....

Thursday was a rough day for me and I knew it would be.

I was prepared.

As soon as I got out of bed and poured that first cup of coffee, I took my prayer journal and went out to sit in the glider on the side deck. It was nice out there before the day started heating up.

Last Thursday, Summer and Rayne joined us when we visited Mother and Lillian and it was a wonderful day all around. I have learned that you can't expect a good visit every time you visit.

I must say that I am getting to know the staff and really appreciate all they do.

It must be a calling of sorts to work in a nursing home.

Next week I am baking a cake for them!

I did make them laugh this visit. The staff, I mean.

When I went down to the nurses station to ask them to give Mother something to calm her down,

they could see I was stressed and began to tell me how people act differently when they are in Mother's condition. I couldn't seem to help myself - I said, "I know everyone thinks all these are sweet little old ladies and some of them are. But our mother was never sweet!" I know, Deanie!!

You are probably rolling your eyes as you read this....

Anyway, they all laughed and so did I.

And one of them said, "Thank you for that. My mother wasn't sweet either."

Then she shared a little of her story with me and I felt like we were all seeing each other with more open eyes than we had before.

And don't worry, Sisters. I didn't share anything else with them!

I went back down to Mother's room and then had a nice visit with Lillian.

Normally when I leave, I just walk past the nurses station and on out the door.

This time, every single one of the staff said a few words to me as I left.

Like I said, I will not be showing up without a cake, muffins or cookies from now on.

Back to Irving to see Reaoma.

She was still in the dining room when I arrived.

It's tough to see a dear friend suffer.

I felt empty and the best I could do was hold her hand, brush her hair and tell her I love her.

While we were still in the dining room, the staff was telling everyone about the social gathering in the lobby. I didn't think anything of it at the time but when I went to the lobby to check out, they invited me to have a glass of wine and sit and chat.....have a snack and relax.

I needed this so very much.

I had been on the verge of tears all day and some of them had spilled out.

They poured a glass of Chardonnay for me and I mixed and mingled for a good little while. 

I met Marsha - who is a new resident - and her friend, Karen. I met some of the staff and others.

I don't know why but I thanked one of the staff and started to tear up.

They all know Reaoma and understand that she can't be a part of this kind of group anymore.

But I was able to tell them stories about my friendship with her and what an amazing life she had had with her Doug.

I think the affair was catered. There was a very smart looking lady in her chef's apron and hat going around and making sure everything was stocked.

Those cookies were seriously delicious!

I met Joseph Marlow, the Sales Manager of Brookdale, and he was such a delight.

Everyone was so kind and I noticed the residents all enjoyed this social hour.

I left with a lighter heart and found out I had missed Pam by a few short minutes!

I will be in town until we leave for our cruise so I will be visiting Reaoma more often.

They have this Social on the fourth Thursday of every month.

I am planning right now on being there in August!

*Source*

This is a nice place to live.

I had stopped at Aldi's on my way to pick up the cheeses and crackers and such for the Cousins/Family Gathering on Saturday.

I came home and put up the groceries and then Louis Dean and I went out to water.

We just sat and talked between moving the water hoses and then came in and went to bed.

We were both tired.

Today (Friday) I have been cleaning house and lighting candles.

I started in the den and worked my way through.

From the foyer to the living room......

It just gives me such a sense of satisfaction to light a candle.

I chose 5 CD's to play for the party tomorrow....

Yanni, Classical Strings, Floyd Cramer, the London Symphony Orchestra performing Franz Schubert and Tracey Ann Collins Praise music.

Nothing too loud and boisterous - just soft background music.

I made up a huge batch of chicken salad tonight.

Louis Dean had cooked and boned the chicken yesterday and I used it all.

All I have left is the watermelon salad.....

I cube up watermelon and toss it with feta cheese and minced mint leaves.

In the morning I will cut up the cheeses and make my platter of cheese, crackers and olives and make the tea. We drink a lot of tea!

I'm looking forward to seeing our cousins and my siblings and my children will all be here as well.

I set my alarm for 7:16 AM. I wanted to set it at 8:00 but it was easier to leave the minutes where they were. That will give me a little stupor time.

Everyone will be coming about 1:00.

My siblings and cousins are all always on time.

My children - not so much.

They are more like me.....

a day late and a dollar short!

Before I close this journal entry, I would like to thank you all for your friendship and the many kind words and prayers. You help me every day when I read the comments and I listen to the words of wisdom you share and take those words to heart.

We are all in this life together.

We may not be in the same stage of life and with the same set of circumstances.....

but we are all doing the very best we can and I think the encouragement we share with each other makes us all a little bit stronger. And I thank you for that.