March 23, 2024
We had a lovely time visiting with my family while staying at Dry Creek Water Park. It is only a few miles from my youngest sister’s home. She stopped by with her husband, her oldest son (my nephew) and his son (my great-nephew, who is six, about to be seven in a few days).
We enjoyed playing on the small playground with my great-nephew. He loved walking to the lake and picking up sandstone rocks. He was fascinated by the Fowler’s toad my sister spotted.
Another visit, my sister brought her youngest son, age 22, to visit. He wanted to see our RV and he got the full tour. My brother-in-law was interested in our sewer hose set up for a project he is working on.
I did go with my youngest sister to see my mom. I can’t find the words to do justice to how sad it is to see Mom reduced to skin and bones and no longer able to speak. Mom has Alzheimer’s and has been fading away for years. She was diagnosed about 12 years ago.
I also got a chance to visit with my middle sister. It was good to catch up with her and to hear about my niece and nephew. She’s got two kids in college at Ole Miss (University of Mississippi).
Retirement RV Dream 
My heart goes out to you about your mother. That is about the hardest thing I ever did was lose Dad to Alzheimer’s, but we do the best we can. I am glad you were able to see her and to spend time with your family also. Just wait until you have a great-great niece or nephew!
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Alzheimer’s is truly awful. You are right, we do the best we can. My sister said Mom seemed to be at lot more active when I came to visit. I look like Mom’s family and with my white hair, I look a lot like my Mom’s mother at 60. Mom was excited to see me and kept trying to talk to me. Mom kept looking at me and even held my hand. I would like to think she recognized me, but I know she didn’t. I think she thought her mother came to visit her.
I look forward to the day I have great-great nieces and nephews.
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So sad about your Mom and your family living through this nightmare of an illness. It’s heartbreaking to see a loved one lost in this way.
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Thank you for your kind words. I hope researchers find what causes it to happen and then can find a cure. It is so awful how it destroys a person.
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I think we do not always know when they recognize us. Over the years of my father and my father-in-law, I think what is most important is that we continue to “act as if” and talk with them. In the absence of anything else, it helps to keep a human connection and we always need that. I am not sure it matters if she thinks it is you, or her mother, or whomever–you are making a connection that is a human need.
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You are right. She does still want the connection. I don’t believe it matters who she thinks I am, as long as she is happy to see me.
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Absolutely.
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I am so sorry to hear about your mother. She is really doing well living that long with the disease. Your family must take great care of her. I’m glad you got to catch up with everyone!
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Thank you. It was good to see my sisters and their families.
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Glad you were able to spend time with family. However, sorry to hear about your mom. I assume she is receiving good care, but in any case it is hard to see the decline.
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I enjoyed visiting with my sisters and some of nephews.
Mom is receiving good care. My sisters have a schedule and go see her almost every day. They help with taking care of her. Mom also has a hospice nurse who helps with her care.
When Mom was in her right mind, she didn’t want any extra measures done to keep her alive since she knew she wasn’t going to get better.
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