At 8:34 this morning Mom called me. Usually when she calls this early, it means she needs me to figure out what thought is trapped in her head by playing a game of 20 questions (read: 1,000 questions) that lasts an hour (read: however long we can stand it).
Today was a trying game of "guess-what-my-thoughts-are-by-asking-me-questions-and-I'll-reply-yes-or-no-with-different-inflections-in-my-voice". I was close to tears three times.
The first tear session was after awhile when Mom had desperation in her voice, becoming frustrated because I was way off track. In the background, Julie was screaming bloody-you-took-my-toy and Joe was screaming nanny-nanny back. I went downstairs to hide in the laundry room.
After more questions, more frustration and a cry of exasperation from Mom, the kids found me huddled in the laundry room and continues their scream-fest 2010. Enter into tear-session #2. After a deep breath, I loured the screaming meanies into the family room with some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and locked myself into the extra bedroom.
After regrouping with repeating what I had figured out so far, Mom wanted me to call someone, someone who was not in her address book, someone whose phone number I could not look up and she wanted me to call today, I remembered that during our last visit she had asked me to order her a ring from a catalog. I finally figured out how to size her finger and had planned to measure her the next time we were up. I asked "Is this about your ring?" "YYYYYEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" was the woman's exclamation. Tear-session #3 commenced along with lots of laughter. As the laughing quieted, I could see little lips beneath the locked door and a little voice saying "Mama? My come in now?" That made Mom laugh even more.
It's amazing how connected Mom and I can be. It may take us 25 minutes to get there, but we don't give up on each other. I encourage her, she encourages me and usually we can figure out what is trapped in her brain. I don't wish this situation upon anyone...ANYONE...but what a blessing I can pick up the phone and hear Mom's voice on the other end of the line with her sweet"LO?"
Mom, ever the avid sewer, is on the verge of completing her second quilt since the stroke. A dear friend Jean has been assisting Mom with maneuvering the mammoth project and supervising to make sure that all the squares line up. Mom seems to have enjoyed the process. Sorry to all you quilt-admirers...Mom claims she is keeping this one for her own bed...finally a quilt she will keep!
