Memorial Day 2012

Yesterday was Memorial Day. It turned out to be a beautiful day in western Washington. I went over to OAR a little after 11AM and picked up Mom for an outing to our church picnic. All went very very well. We had gospel music, a patriotic DVD, games, Cost-co polish hot dogs, BBQ ribs, tater salad and all the trimmings, etc. Around 4PM I took Mom for a tour of Lakewood and we saw the Clover Park High School "Arlington Cemetery Project" where the students created a miniature cemetery on the front lawn of the school with all the little tombstones of all the fallen military personnel from recent service. Then we drove through the grounds at Mt. View Funeral Home where the drive was lined with old glory on both sides of the street and hundreds of American flags were installed all over the cemetery. It was beautiful and very moving. Mom stayed in the vehicle and I took some pictures before we headed home. Mom said, as we got under way, "Where is home? I don't even remember where I live." We got Mom "Home" about supper time and time for her evening meds. She was tired but had a great time. A little later in the evening, Snickers called to talk to Mom and she didn't seem to remember anything about the day at all.

Mother's Day

Last May 13th, Ladybug went over to OAR and picked up Mom for church. It turned out to be a great day and Mom thoroughly enjoyed the day to the MAX. She was there for the Sunday School, the morning Worship Service, the Noon Meal, and in the afternoon she was able to take the Lord's Supper. She was a little disoriented as to where things were located (like the Ladies Room) but I was careful to mention everyone's name as they came in and hugged her and she appeared to "remember" them. Ladybug, Snickers, Popcorn and I were all out of State for a few days at the beginning of the month but we called Mom routinely as usual and all went well without her getting distressed about us being gone. It helped to have a couple of visits from grandchildren during that time too. I got a letter from DSHS May 23rd that stressed me out a little. It said that they sent me an annual review form on Mom's status and did not receive it back so they were therefore going to close her account effective May 31st. (Don't you just LOVE bureaucrats?) I called them immediately and said, "Kicking Mom to the curb is not acceptable." They said they would re-send the form and I told them that I would fill it out again and FAX it to them before the end of the day that I receive it. Praying that all will go well with this and there will be no problems or disruptions for Mom.