Hello again
Beautiful day today in my part of the world. Sunny, but a storm is expected.
So I manged to get out to mom's early today. The traffic was good, the bus was almost empty and not to many people to pick up. This is a first for this run. Usually it is packed. I liked it, change of pace.
Got to White Rock and it was an hour and half early. So I just grabbed what I needed and off I went. Mom was a little surprised at me being early Gave me a puzzled look, but none the less reached out her hand to me and gave me one of her great smiles. It was off to get her drinks and to her room.
The tree looks good. I had a few more decorations that I brought with me. For the wall and door. Found them cleaning up last night. What a clean up that was.
Well I gave mom as much to drink as she wanted, plus the daily chocolate from her Lindt advent calender. Day 7, Wow.
I had extra Chicken from the other day, so last night I made individual Chicken pot pies. I had everything I needed in my fridge, so why not. I really enjoyed it. So I knew mom would, as well. Plus she had the left over salads from last night.
We managed to get out to our table and start to eat before the other's, so by the time the served meal came. Mom was almost done eating. It was, at this time, a matter of having dessert. Which was a lemon pudding cake and her fruit and Lindt chocolate.
After dessert mom was still hungry.Lucky I don't throw anything she doesn't eat, before her dessert, away. Then she finished this off. I am not sure if she just wants her dessert, or. When my father had his stroke and developed Dementia, he would eat dinner, then go to the bathroom. When he came back, he would say "Whats for dinner" Forgetting that quick. I don't think mom is like this yet, but one never knows. I really think she just wants her dessert.
I tell her all the time, eat what you want, as much as you want, and if you want dessert first, So be it. As long as you eat. I doesn't matter to me which order you eat in.
So we finished early, got the dishes done.
I spoke with the nurse about using an end table to put the tree on. So by the time we arrived back to her room. He had already put the tree on it. I just needed to fix it up a bit. I brought a star, that lights up, for the top of the tree. Man does it look good. Have to take a photo of it and post it.
She was put to bed, and I gave her a complete spa treatment tonight. She already received her nightly medicine while I read to her. So when I finished mom was already asleep. I mean fully out. I had plenty of time, so I just held her hand and stayed for a while.
On my way back, I knew the bus driver and he was asking me if I did all my Christmas shopping. I replied that I have only a few more presents to get. He also asked what I wanted for Christmas.
I had to think. As no one has asked me that question in a very long time. Well I said to him, that the best Christmas present I could get was being able to spend another Christmas with my mother and to be able to cook her Christmas dinner. Spending time with her. This is everything I need, I said. Just mom and I will be spending Christmas together. As usual.
But after I got on the sky train, I though about it. And what I could use, not what I want, is a new mattress. You see mine is getting old. The springs are starting to poke through. I roll over and Ouch . This is something I could use, a queen size mattress and box spring. But I am dealing with it. As I can't afford one, so I just put this piece of foam, I have , over the spot where the springs are poking through. Good enough.
One day I might get a new mattress, GOD knows it has been long enough. But I get to spend another Christmas with my mother..
That alone is the best present I could ever ask for. I don't know how many more Christmas' mom has, so I will be thankful for each and every one I get to spend with mom.
As a matter of fact. I am extremely grateful for each and every day I get to spend with mom. I am grateful for each dinner I get to cook for her. I am grateful for each day I get to hold her hand, while she falls asleep. And I am grateful, that mom enjoys my singing. Sometimes I think she just tolerates it because I am her son.
I am grateful that I am healthy enough to be able to travel to and from White Rock. And I am grateful that I even have a bed to sleep on. There are allot of those out there that don't have this. Even though I don't want to be living here. That I don't even like coming back. But I at least have a place to come back too.
:Last, I am grateful that I have a GOD that loves me and protects me. How else would I be able to do what I do for my mother. If it were not for the grace of GOD.
GOD bless and good night
Kris Schmuland
