Happy Birthday Mom

  My parents taken when they still wintered in Florida, and before Mom's diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

Today is my mother's birthday. I went over to see Mom this morning as we won't be celebrating her birthday with a party tonight. Both Mom and Dad still have bronchitis.  We will probably have a family party and dinner for her next Sunday if she and Dad aren't still sick.                            
I brought Mom a bouquet of flowers and a beautiful birthday cake.

I also brought my Dad's, younger, 88 year old sister to my parents to visit. They hadn't seen Auntie since last October when she left for Florida.  Auntie came back home on Thursday afternoon after  spending the winter in Florida.

 

Yesterday I was suppose to take my mom to the eye doctors in Sandwich, MA, but with her coughing I cancelled the appointment. I had already cancelled her caregiver for that shift, so I spent the afternoon at my parents house. While there I made them an apple pie, an apple cinnamon cake, and made their dinner..shrimp stir fry. They loved it all.

It is so very sad to see the ravages of Alzheimer's in my Mom. Makes my heart break. My mother had been so active and enjoyed doing so many things which she can longer do. In photos that are only a few months old you can really see the changes. It is always a shock, because the changes are gradual and we just get use to seeing them.  It is frustrating, and heartbreaking to watch someone who was once productive and vibrant, just fading away. Sad to watch as Mom paces and sits with a vacant stare so much of the time.

I know it isn't going to get any better, and we have to celebrate the little victories and accomplishments. We are lucky that Mom still knows everyone and still has a sense of humor. I worry that I will also suffer from this dreaded disease. I hope and pray that I won't have Alzheimer's because my grandmother, my Mom's mother also had Alzheimer's.

Love you Mom!!! Happy 89th Birthday.
Elaine