Forever

my Dad carried this photo in his wallet forever

 

The Goode Huswife

over the years

I purchased many counted cross stitch patterns

to adapt to rug hooking

if not stitching

 

 going through my stash recently

I dug out these 3 out of print charts

making me wish

my eyes were still good for this sort of stitching

the charts are no problem

it's the linen!

this has long been my favorite...

Soon to be listed on eBay

Sweet Memories

so I won't ever forget...

a couple of things from the last few days with Mom

I stayed overnight with her

holding her hand each time she raised it from the bed

something we've done for years now

only leaving for a few hours

to feed the cats

inject some meds

while my sister stayed with Mom

Thursday she had a high temperature

even while on antibiotics

so we knew

she didn't respond to us 

other than opening her eyes

early Friday was so much better

she even shooed away the male aide

from Hospice

when he arrived to care for her

with think she associated him with the Hoyer lift 

she talked with us on and off all day

on returning that afternoon

I woke her up leaning over to kiss her

oh the joy on her face

when I said hi Mom

she kissed her hand 

then placed it on my cheek

for a few days she refused anything to eat or drink

except a few Lifesavers

later that day I was sitting there

eating my gummy bears

when she said I sure was chewing a lot of gum

 I told her no, that was Judy

I was eating gummy bears

immediately her right hand went up 

she ate one and was satisfied

she was happy to sit up in bed

watching the Andy Griffith show

she even drank some butter pecan Ensure

just some general chit chat after that

lots of I loves yous...

Saturday morning we knew our time was short

the Crossroads Hospice team was phenomenal

I can't say that enough

***** 

my NC sister and her husband will arrive in a few hours

we'll just putter around my yard and house

catching up on chores and weeding

tomorrow we're all going to lunch together

my local sister and I have decided to

start with a clean slate

it's what our parents wanted most

all their girls to be friends

we think that she waited to leave us Sunday morning

until she knew we would heal our relationship

just one more loving gesture from Mom

*****

your words and prayers have touched my heart

filled me with love and hope

I am only sorry I can't hug you all in person

Best Mom

Mom had a peaceful night

I stayed with her until around 9 this morning

when my sister showed up

We are lucky Mom has been sleeping

not needing morphine

she wakes up a bit to say hi

or go away 

( to her wonderful Hospice aide Brian)

even to ask to go home...of course

I'll go back in a few hours

I'll be staying overnight as long as needed 

Mom always laughs at me for printing out these 

coloring pages and coloring them for her...

she knows I've loved to color

way before it way cool for adults

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers

I know so many of you have gone through this

with parents and loved ones...

  

your thoughts and insights over the years

have helped me 

very much

 

 

Mom

yesterday

adjusting her meds takes so much time

it's heartbreaking to see her "snowed"

it feels worse than her rage

Monday

she was very medicated

but did enjoy a visit with Stella

a doll she bought me over 20 years ago

I am spending all my days off with her

from lunch to bed time

awake or asleep

we are in this together

not getting much done at home

important phone calls, paying bills

fussing with the cats

one Xanax at a time for me