Angels for Mom

I had a care aid call and say Mom was mad at her and calling her my name and she did not correct her and was that okay? Hmmm.  I guess.

After Dad died it was easier but I no longer had a watchdog. More changes, more problems and finally for the last three years of my Mom’s life a team of angels that were more sisters than employees, de facto daughters or close friends for my mother.  It was the family I choose that helped me through the last three years.

They found activities for Mom that kept her mind active and pushed the disease to the back corners of her brain. They researched the best foods for brain health and fed her from their gardens.  They chose the music that she loved to listen to.  They laughed and sang and read great books together. They brought their husbands, sons and male friends around the house to flirt with Mom and oh did she enjoy that attention. My favourite prince of a husband fixed and altered the house to make life easier for Mom and the team.  They took ownership as de facto daughters and did their very best for my Mother.  Some of my team did not or would not have the opportunity to do this for their mother and they embraced my Mom as their own.

And I shared.  Not always willingly but with gratitude.  It was hard to find that team.  My Dad made it even harder.  But ultimately even the short-lived care aids added variety to my Mom’s life and kept her brain active.  I still see her gentle patting my father’s knee and saying,   “Oh dear, more new friends. I guess we will manage.