That’s me, my mom, and sister as we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with my mom at her memory care facility, and the assisted living facility next door.
Alzheimer’s is hard and our mom has forgotten so much. Not so much she hasn’t retained a mind of her own. They said while she did wear the silly sunglasses, she refused to wear the silly headbands they passed out.
In all she has forgotten, she has not yet forgotten her children. As we drove by in the parade, she announced “Those are my daughters.” Not once has she forgotten my name.
At times it is as though she is training herself to remember. She says our names as often as possible and is forever introducing us to staff. While I try to mentally prepare for the day she doesn’t, I don’t believe you can.
Last month she was very subdued. There were times when she would barely talk during visits. But the last couple of weeks she has been more herself. She jokes and is sassy and more like our mom.
We snuck away when we got a chance and visited with our choir director from growing up. She lives next door in the assisted living, though as she said she doesn’t really need it. She’s probably right. Still she doesn’t want to live with anyone and this is a good compromise. She is safe and can be with people or not with people, as she chooses. I could tell she is beloved there, too. It’s appropriate we saw her today. She is one of the pieces of gold in our life.
So Happy St. Patrick’s Day for you, with a few of my favorite bits of Irish wisdom. I couldn’t find any attribution for any of them.
A kind word never broke anyone’s mouth.
You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.
May those who love us love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.
May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch to your door, and happiness be your guest today and evermore.
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
And this one was my special one today. I hope one of these was a gift to you!
May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been
the foresight to know where you’re going
and the insight to know when you’re going too far.
In the Box, Out of the Box 