I haven't seen Mom since our Florida visit in October, and it's going to be a few more months till we're back there again, so I figured it was time for a visit. With her Alzheimer's I'm afraid if I go too long, she'll forget who I am. Actually, I suppose she'll forget - or not - whether I see her every day, or not for a year. But, I need to see her and give her a hug. So, Jim dropped me off at Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix while he stayed with the RV at Leaf Verde RV park on the west side of town.
The first thing that struck me is how much I enjoy seeing blue water and green landscape! The Arizona Sonoran desert is interesting, but I gotta say, I like Florida better. I'm a water baby, I love the ocean.
I had a really nice visit with Mom. She recognized me instantly from across the room as soon as I walked in! That felt good. I got there right at the end of her lunch time, gave her a big hug and sat down at the table with her for a few minutes till she was finished. Then we got up and went out in the courtyard for a little walk and she asked, "So are we going to eat something? I haven't eaten anything all day." I've been dealing with this disease of hers for over 6 years now and I still am flabbergasted by what it's done to her.
She's physically healthy though, and she truly seems to be happy. The assisted living facility she is in now is just the right size for her. Small enough that there are always eyes on her, but big enough that she can feel somewhat independent. And, it's so great that she has the beautiful courtyard to go for walks without leaving the facility.
A few days later, it worked out that she was with me and Dee when we needed to go back to the townhouse and pick up something. We decided to see if Mom recognized anything about the place where she lived for over 20 years.
Nope. Nada. Blank. Once inside, she did look around and said, "This is such a nice place!" "Is this your place" she asked me. "No," I said, "It's Dee's."
Yikes.
But, look at that smile on her face - both at the dining table in the facility with her new buddy, Carol - and out in the park.
