I got to Mom's early today, close to 3pm. When I got there, she was downstairs with the other residents, listening to a singer/pianist, They were all singing "You are my sunshine," including Mom.
She was so excited to see me.. and almost instantly introduced me to her friend. "This is my daughter, Kim. How old are you now? 19, right?" I handed her the coffee I brought her and she was beaming from ear to ear.
40, Mom.
"Oh my goodness. That's right...she's 40, and my oldest son Kenny is... how old?" 48 "Oh my goodness. I have 3 children, and the oldest is 48!" The woman beside her replied, "Yeah, mine is 55."
The singer/musician continued on with America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner. All of the residents were into it, and singing proudly. Mom was really weepy as far as the songs. They kept reminding her of the past and she made lots of comments about memories.
"They played awl my favorite songs" (in her most Southern accent)..she kept referring to my Dad and talking about the wonderful music. "I even cried..or made out. I wasn't supposed to tell you that last part. (all smiles) Paul used to sing those songs to me. I would say, ok one more kiss, one more song. Then he would say "OK, two more kisses, two more songs."
It was time to go back upstairs. What a project that is! There is only 1 elevator that leads to their locked unit, and you have 30+ Alzheimers patients, most of whom are using walkers or wheelchairs, and you need to get them upstairs. While we were waiting for our turn on the elevator, Mom talked to several of the residents...introducing me to each one with so much pride in her voice. I also counted, and there were only 3 men in the room.
"That was really wonderful. I used to have all these records, but now of course they're missing. I used to carry them in my car all those years, and then someone came in and took them."
We got back upstairs and sat at the table, where several of the other residents also sat down. I sat beside Mom, using the seat on her walker. They started talking to each other. One woman said "Well wasn't that just wonderful, wasn't it" and Mom replied "Yes, it certainly was. My husband used to sing all those songs to me. Of course, he's been dead for [pause] five years (it's actually been 22, but I didn't correct her). I danced with him for eight years. I remember when he would bring me home, and Mom would keep flicking the light. It's time to come in!"
"I don't know if Paula likes country music. I played it so much in the car. She would tell me - ok, but we're not listening to this for more than 30 minutes. I used to drive her crazy. She wanted to listen to all that other stuff. I'm so glad you stopped by and thank you for the coffee. Its great that here we are being entertained by more professionals than it the other place I lived. Where did my walker go?"
I'm sitting on it Mom.
"Oh, well you can take it to a carpenter shop so that they can attach...I don't know...a pillow or something. These are all my best friends." [motioning to the women at the table]. I had given her decaf coffee, but she was really wound up..talking and talking...and cheerful. "I really started young having babies. I think I was 14..no 16 and then the next year another one and another one, and by the time you get to 3 you're in trouble. They would say... [singing] Here comes Pearl, here comes Pearl right down Santa Claus lane."
"We had planned on taking a bus..but then we would have no way to get back. They said they would just drop us of...in the main street of DC, with no ride home. That's when they found that other man who knew how to play the piano, so they asked him to sing for us and he said sure! This has been a wonderful day. There are so many nice people here that weren't in the other one. This is the best place I've lived. I love the apartment. When people come is they say - Wow, were you an interior decorator? I still like going to the river sometimes though. The one we used to go to."
I have no idea what river she is talking about, but all in all it was a great visit. Lots of laughs today, for both of us.
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