1-15-2012

I didn't get to Mom's until after 8 tonight.  I had gone shopping beforehand and bought her some more supplies.

As soon as I walked into the unit, the nurse says "We were just talking about you.  Your Mom said 'my daughter didn't come see me today.  She usually comes at night."  So much for thinking she doesn't notice.  She then told me Mom's sugar was 190 so she was going to give her a small dose of insulin - 2 units.  She used to get 24 units in a single dosage, now they have really got it under control.  She told me she's only getting 2 units a few times a day. She also told me that Mom was planning to walk across the street to buy some coffee, and that she would probably be tired because they had a busy day.

I went to Mom's room, said hello and then put her supplies in the closet.  Mom was sitting in her rocking chair, in the dark, and pointing a flashlight at the TV. 'Mom, what are you doing?'

"I'm trying to fix this thing"  Apparently she had tried to watch a movie and her TV was stuck on the settings screen.

'Why don't we turn the lights on?'

We got the lights on, the TV fixed and then were watching the Golden Globes together.  The nurse came in to give Mom her insulin.  She was so sweet.  I said to Mom - 'you're lucky to have her taking such good care of you.'

"Yep, that's what I told her.  I worked at Tastee Freeze 2 times.  That's where I met my second husband." The nurse just went right along with her. After the nurse left I asked what she had been up to all day.

"Oh nothing."


'Really?  I heard you guys were pretty busy today.'

"No, not really."  I could tell she was a little down.  She asked about my day, and my work, and how Missy was liking... something...then forgot what she was trying to say. She asked about my children, and "How's Paula doing?" "They almost lost several tenants, at least 3 after the coffee incident.  I wasn't going to make a fuss, but running out of coffee and a lot of the weekly residents, even the men, just might not renew." She then told me I could take the fresh cut flowers on her table and plant them in my garden.

'Thanks, Mom.  I'll try that.'  I got lots of instructions on how to pour hot water into the ground and do all kinds of stuff so that they would grow perfectly.  I thought about all the gardening books we had given away after this last move, and how much garden stuff of hers that is sitting in my garage unused.  She really loved gardening.  I pretty much suck at it.  Maybe I'll give it another shot this coming spring.

I took the cut flowers with me when I left and told her I would see her tomorrow.  I could tell she was sad to see me go.  I was a bit sad to leave too.