Post-script to yesterday’s blog…

I don’t usually post two days in a row, but today’s story is different than yesterday’s.  As the Buddha said, everything is impermanent. Only change is certain, and truly we never know what will happen next. 

After posting yesterday’s post about Mom’s frustration and unhappiness, I talked with Mom on the phone (for the 2nd time today) and learned that her new caregiver, Carol, took her down for an afternoon event, and that, while Mom didn’t enjoy the event that much, she did see a number of her friends from her 4 o’clock dinner crowd — her pals.  She told me they were SO nice, and SO happy to see her. They encouraged her to come down for dinner.  

She asked me, Do you think I should go?  Will it be ok?  

Yes, I said, Yes! Go!

So for the first time in three months, she went to the dining hall to eat dinner with her friends.  Her caregiver took her down in the wheelchair; Mom’s not (yet?) strong enough to walk there with her walker.  After dinner, she called me (for the 3rd time today) to tell me she’d done it.  She sounded SO happy.  She sounded like she’d made a big step forward.

Her caregiver borrowed Mom’s friend and dinner mate, Bernie’s cell phone and took a picture.

This picture!  I had to push happy tears back into my head.  Dang!  You never know!  I’m learning to go with the wild flow!

From left to right:  Charlotte, Bernie, Mardel, Mom (Bea), and Shirley!  (missing from this pic are Al, Dolly, and Diane).

xo,

Gayle