Back Home in Time to PARTY at the Nursing Home!

I lingered as long as I could Thursday - I even took a nap while Louis Dean was loading his tools and such - but I eventually got dressed, packed up my things and cleaned the camper/cabin and put myself in the truck.

We had about 3-4 inches of rain Monday night and Tuesday morning and it had dried out considerably since then - but it was still really mushy! The new gravel hasn't been down long enough to pack in!

Seems like we had just arrived and now it was time to leave!

We came home to a Christmas House and it all looked so pretty.

It didn't take long to unpack and I was in bed early!

God has given us the gift of restorative sleep.

Sometimes I go to bed at night so bone tired that I don't think I'll be able to get up the next morning....

and yet I wake up to a new day with new energy.

Today I used up every single drop of that energy and then pushed it some more.

Louis Dean and I left the house around 11:00 and did errands until after 1:00. Then we drove over to Fort Worth and the Trail Lake Nursing Home for their Christmas Tree and  Party.

I was a little bit blue and already tired when I arrived but the music and the smiles cheered me right up. I wasn't able to go around and be of as much help this year but I managed to do what I could.

Lillian had a good time!

She looked so pretty in the lightweight shawl we bought out thrifting a few weeks ago.

I told her she would like it!

One of the home's favorite singers was there and that Jingle Bell Rock turned everyone on!

This clip is 1:53 but the last 40 seconds are priceless!

Meet Eula Mae.

She was seated at our table and is 91 years old.

When I first sat down I was helping Lillian open her gift bag and get refreshments and all and I had my back to Eula Mae. When I turned around and greeted her,  I noticed her gifts were all still in the bag and she had no refreshments. Her hands are all withered up with arthritis to the point she can't open them up. She can hold her cup - but it's not easy. I helped her with her gifts and she really had some nice ones. A pair of black slacks - very classy and a really good brand - and the loveliest sweater that felt like a cloud. It was all airy and light and shimmered with three different kinds of threads and in golden colors. It will look so nice with the slacks. Her third gift - and everyone got three gifts - was a box with two sets of earrings. She didn't have any on so I offered to put a pair in for her. Well! MY arthritis hands were so clumsy I dropped the backing and fumbled around but finally got them in! And she was the sweetest thing.

I'm telling you - this place was jiving!!

Even the dog got into it!

There was a lot of dancing going on!

The party brought out the sweetness in everyone - including me.

Roberta enjoyed herself.

She's 101 and still having fun.

I don't know what organization supplies the three gift items for each resident but they do a fine job.

I noticed on the bag for each was a tag that described the three things that person had asked for.

Then another group gave blankets to everyone.

Really nice ones, too.

And yet another volunteer group -  they all helped with the party and wore blue shirts - had brand new teddy bears of all kinds and each resident received one. They were able to choose one from the big colorful bags chock full of bears!

Lillian chose a white 'Prayer' bear.....

Eula Mae got one dressed up fancy!

This little lady cradled her cuddly bear all through the party.

And this lady kept straightening her bears tie.

I was amazed at much they all seemed to love these bears and not one person refused one.

There was a jolly elf there and I did NOT know it was Billy the maintenance man until he came over and talked to me.

Lillian didn't know who it was either!

She.was.shocked.

She does love Billy!

And this is the new activity director.

Lillian really likes her, too!

I'd say it was a successful party!

Lillian had asked me to come so I rearranged the luncheon I had planned for this day and made it for a week later. Lillian said, "Linda, won't you come and sit with me like you did last year when you sat with me and your mother?"  It was important to her and I am glad I came.

Her granddaughter was supposed to come, as well, but she couldn't get off work.

This lady reminds me of my mother - in a very good way.

I don't know why my heart always goes out to her whenever I see her.

She acts like she recognizes me and crooks her finger to tell me to come over.

I did and she had not opened her gifts either, so I helped her and when I held up the fancy silky top - she said, "Oh! That's pretty!!" I got her some refreshments and when her seat mate lady took her cup of hot chocolate - I got her another cup. She didn't make a fuss because she knew I was getting it for her.

As fun as these pictures are and as nice and cheerful as everyone was ......

this was a hard day for me.

Louis Dean and I ate breakfast at Joe's Coffee Shop this morning and as we were leaving a lady stopped me when I was walking by her table and told me how pretty I looked. I thanked her and said I really appreciated her saying that as I was not feeling well. We went on to chat a few minutes and I feel like it was a God thing that we talked. I helped her and she helped me.

I went on to do my day and with every passing hour I grew wearier and wearier.

We left the nursing home and did another round of errands.

I needed to buy some things to take with me to the hospital - I noticed all my comfy nightgowns are old and faded and my slippers are looking ragged. My makeup and toiletry bags came form Goodwill and look like they need to be retired to the trash. So I had some shopping to do.

As time goes on I am in more pain so I thought it would be best to get this done while I can.

We made it back to Irving by 8:00 and Louis Dean has his heart set on Chinese food.

I was so done but I didn't have the heart to tell him I needed to go home - so I pushed on a little bit more. I did let him get my plate for me so I didn't have to walk.

At last we were home and I went right to bed for a little while before I got up to finish this day.

I knew this was going to be a hard day for me when I woke up this morning.

I haven't cried about Mother dying - not once.

I figured I had done all my grieving before.

But today was different. This time last year she was still here. 

The party last year wore me completely out because she was being so difficult.

Throughout this year I have been remembering Mother, not as she was in the last year or two before she died, but as she was in the memories that pop up on Facebook. Those weekly visits to the hair salon and out to eat on Friday and all the many selfies she and I took and the way she liked to look at them and point at the ones to delete and smile at the one to post.

I was struggling during the party but when that little lady that reminds me of Mother caught my eye and motioned me over - well - I knew I was in for a crying jag.

I held it at bay until I started writing about the party.

Thank y'all for listening to me.....but I need to close now.

I don't think I'm through crying yet....