Melanie and I are back from a very short trip to the UK. We didn't see Leland for some reason, despite keeping our eyes open for her. We sort of needed to go to Melanie's nephew's wedding and since it was one overnight flight away, we thought it would be a snap. We landed back in Singapore at 7:40am on Tuesday and were in work by 9:30am. I only slept through one meeting too so the day wasn't a complete loss.
Our whole extended weekend was spent within spitting distance of the M11 and A11 highways between the London orbital (M25 / beltway) and Wymondham. The wedding was held in Saffron Walden's St. Mary's Church, built around 1450 (http://www.stmaryssaffronwalden.org/History.htm) and the reception was in the quaint "little" Audley End house built in the early 1600's (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.12093). Oliver Cromwell once held a meeting in the church so I made sure to wipe my feet after leaving it. We went to Cambridge on Sunday and it's the coolest little old town I have ever been to. All the students were moving back into their rooms on Sunday and as we walked down the street, every few feet we heard a different language being spoken. We went punting on the Cam River (a flat boat pushed along by a chauffeur using a long pole in the shallow river). In Wymondham, we met up with a friend a Melanie's family who lived in Singapore in the early 1960's. Lunch at the 15th century Green Dragon pub their was quite decent (http://www.greendragon-pub.co.uk/).
Overall it was a nice retreat but I just wonder how long it will take before I stop saying "oh lovely" about everything.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The benefits to Alzheimer's Disease...
I'm sure you've all heard it before..."Alzheimer's is so hard on the family" or "this disease must be so hard for you".
But really, I would like to point out a few of the high points that Mom's disease has brought to us. This Blog has been so much fun to write and follow. We really are a witty bunch of folks. Dad would be proud. It's wonderful to catch up with Danny and Paul every week. (I've now probably seen them more in this past year than I had in the past 5 put together). It's good to see how devoted to Mom Paul is. (ask him to do anything for her and he will...except perhaps pluck those dag on chin hairs) It's nice to see how devoted to Paul Mom is. (invariably she remembers to ask him about his job or to tell him that Mary's no good for him. She remembers to worry about him) I've learned to live in her moment. I like to see her happy to see Danny when she thinks he's Dad. I'm sure it's a little creepy for Danny, but it really makes her happy. I also like it when my sisters visit Mom and when she comments about what a lovely visit they had, they make a point to mention that "it's a shame Levelle wasn't here to share in it". Lucky for me, Mom's memory is short and that snarky comment was probably forgotten before they pulled out of the driveway ;-p .
I like to hear her tell stories (or at least try to). I wonder where her mind will lead to or to what decade. She may not remember the recent stuff (like dinner with Ben and Twitter on Thursday night) but she enjoys trying to tell stories. Recently Uncle Ed and Aunt Helen have been on her mind. Mom will start to talk about them and then the rest of us will fill in with stories that we remember. It's nice to reminisce (while we still can ;-) ) I've also learned the art of location. Location you ask? Yes, location. Like when sitting outside with Mom on a hot Sunday afternoon, it's good to be located next to her rather than across from her. That way you can make gagging faces when she rolls up her pants legs "to get some sun" only to begin scratching her psoriasis spots and letting the flesh fly. (Gagging still!) Or location as in, make sure someone else sits next to her at Mass because Mom's "aroma" can really get pungent when in a confined space like a church pew. But dang if she doesn't still remember all of the prayers. That should bring her some peace.
It's nice to see how loved Mom is by all of her friends. There are a few who are quite devoted to Mom and it shows what a good friend she was to them. They visit often even though she doesn't seem to think they do or remember that they do. But I can tell that they've been there when I see some home made treat in the fridge (or hidden in her night stand) or when I am doing laundry and see several new items of clothes from Talbots. (I'm sure these are from Mrs. Lawrence). Mom and Dad spent their lives helping/serving others. It's heartwarming to see that others appreciated what they did. I hope I've got good friends to visit me when I get ALZ. So that's it for me, what about you?
Love to all - Levelle
But really, I would like to point out a few of the high points that Mom's disease has brought to us. This Blog has been so much fun to write and follow. We really are a witty bunch of folks. Dad would be proud. It's wonderful to catch up with Danny and Paul every week. (I've now probably seen them more in this past year than I had in the past 5 put together). It's good to see how devoted to Mom Paul is. (ask him to do anything for her and he will...except perhaps pluck those dag on chin hairs) It's nice to see how devoted to Paul Mom is. (invariably she remembers to ask him about his job or to tell him that Mary's no good for him. She remembers to worry about him) I've learned to live in her moment. I like to see her happy to see Danny when she thinks he's Dad. I'm sure it's a little creepy for Danny, but it really makes her happy. I also like it when my sisters visit Mom and when she comments about what a lovely visit they had, they make a point to mention that "it's a shame Levelle wasn't here to share in it". Lucky for me, Mom's memory is short and that snarky comment was probably forgotten before they pulled out of the driveway ;-p .
I like to hear her tell stories (or at least try to). I wonder where her mind will lead to or to what decade. She may not remember the recent stuff (like dinner with Ben and Twitter on Thursday night) but she enjoys trying to tell stories. Recently Uncle Ed and Aunt Helen have been on her mind. Mom will start to talk about them and then the rest of us will fill in with stories that we remember. It's nice to reminisce (while we still can ;-) ) I've also learned the art of location. Location you ask? Yes, location. Like when sitting outside with Mom on a hot Sunday afternoon, it's good to be located next to her rather than across from her. That way you can make gagging faces when she rolls up her pants legs "to get some sun" only to begin scratching her psoriasis spots and letting the flesh fly. (Gagging still!) Or location as in, make sure someone else sits next to her at Mass because Mom's "aroma" can really get pungent when in a confined space like a church pew. But dang if she doesn't still remember all of the prayers. That should bring her some peace.
It's nice to see how loved Mom is by all of her friends. There are a few who are quite devoted to Mom and it shows what a good friend she was to them. They visit often even though she doesn't seem to think they do or remember that they do. But I can tell that they've been there when I see some home made treat in the fridge (or hidden in her night stand) or when I am doing laundry and see several new items of clothes from Talbots. (I'm sure these are from Mrs. Lawrence). Mom and Dad spent their lives helping/serving others. It's heartwarming to see that others appreciated what they did. I hope I've got good friends to visit me when I get ALZ. So that's it for me, what about you?
Love to all - Levelle
Monday, September 14, 2009
What Do They Do in the Alheimer's Unit All Day...
... any idea?
If Mom had something to do, I think she'd be happier. Not sure what she was upset about (see Danny's comment to last post), but I can imagine that she would get confused if she was trying to help out with any regular activities. And if there are other involved who are unkind/non-perceptive people, they could come across as mean.
Not being allowed to walk independently to church will be a big blow for her.
Hopefully she forgets the bad stuff as quickly as she forgets our visits :)
If Mom had something to do, I think she'd be happier. Not sure what she was upset about (see Danny's comment to last post), but I can imagine that she would get confused if she was trying to help out with any regular activities. And if there are other involved who are unkind/non-perceptive people, they could come across as mean.
Not being allowed to walk independently to church will be a big blow for her.
Hopefully she forgets the bad stuff as quickly as she forgets our visits :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
How's Mom Doing?
Sounds like Mom was having a tough time this weekend. Quinn and Tod found her in bed all depressed on Sunday morning, but convinced her to go to church and lunch. From what I understand, she perked up a little as the day went on. But Uncle Jim found her the same way on Monday. He told Quinn it was as bad as she's ever been. Funny part is that when he asked her if the kids had been visiting, she said that Levelle did come around. So much for the rest of you :)
Just wondering if anyone had been back since then? I'm afraid to call, but I'll come down this weekend for a visit.
We need some new pictures on the blog. Post summer photos if you have any or send them to me and I will.
Take care,
Lel
Just wondering if anyone had been back since then? I'm afraid to call, but I'll come down this weekend for a visit.
We need some new pictures on the blog. Post summer photos if you have any or send them to me and I will.
Take care,
Lel
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Outsprinkles
These are the people whose love and support get us through each day and who we owe so much. They also helped a little producing......
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