It is early Saturday morning--0620 local time. The house is quiet. Each of us is in our own sleeping area. OK, they are bedrooms, but sleeping area did sound a little more dramatic. This is one time when it is quiet enough that I can take a moment to collect some thoughts and do a little writing.
Mom seems to be getting more frail than when I saw her last June. She is still desperately trying to maintain control over her life and surroundings. It is quite poignant to observe and be a participant in. Because of her mercurial temperament, I usually have some trepidation about each visit. This trip is no exception. However, I must look for the joy that must be a part of it.
An important part of the trip was to get some specific tasks together for my brother’s art web site, but I think I mentioned that in a previous posting. That took a good bit of time on Thursday and Friday. An amusing aspect of our meeting with the young man who is designing the site is Mom’s behavior. Forty years ago she worked outside of the home as a job placement specialist. As such she got to know a great number of business people. She has also been an on the road salesperson, consequently, in her own mind, she knows the business world. It is her duty as a mother to insure that her sons do this thing correctly. But she does make the comments that she does not want to interfere and will retire to her bedroom during our discussion. (btw, she spends a great deal of her time in bed watching/listening to her TV. She doesn’t see much any more.) She must have made a dozen trips back into the living room prior to the young man’s arrival. I finally had to tell to go back to her room. Once the young man arrived she did stay in her room.
I know a part of this behavior pattern is to keep up with what is going on. A part is to remind us she is still a force (word chosen purposely) to be reckoned with.
My brother and I drove to Old Mesilla, NM, on Friday to visit a couple of art galleries and have lunch. He wanted me to look at other artist’s paintings and prints to get an idea about pricing and sizing. It was a good trip.
To insure that Mom was not excluded we did invite her, and she declined due to the walking that we would be required. I promised her that I would spend time with her upon our return-a promise I kept with pleasure.
For years she has been telling me she should write a book about her life, but no one would believe it. Well that day is finally arriving for her. For most of Friday afternoon she and I sat in the living room, me with the computer on my lap and she regaling me with stories. I must have a couple dozen anecdotes about amusing and not so amusing things that have occurred in her life. It was not always a happy one. We even talked about what makes her happy. Family was never mentioned. She has been a loner all of her life since her father died. All of this will be in the book.
Well it is a little after 0700 and folks are stirring. Time to pack this in and get ready to meet the day. More will be forthcoming.
#127
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