Mother's Day 2013

Mother's Day 2013 finds new things going on in this mother's life.  I have a new grandson, a new grandson-in-law and a new greatgrandson.....he's actually my only great grandson....WOW, what a difference a year makes!  I am an incredibly blessed woman.

New grandson, John with big brother Charley

New great grandson, Liam

God has richly blessed me with four sons and their families!  I will just confess right now that I'm sure I made many mistakes raising my boys, but I hope they all know how much I love them and love them still.  If children came with instructions, it would just simplify things, don't you think?

After church, some of mama's kids took lunch to the retirement center both for mama and my sister's MIL Mary. Lunch was yummy and four of mama's six children were able to be with her.

Older brother, Tommy and his wife Lois with mama

Superhero and me with mama

Three of us with mama......before the fourth one got there...

Sister Debbie, her husband Mike and son Joshua with Mary

Brother, Michael sitting by mama.....he was busy eating and didn't look at the camera

Flowers from sister Cathy who was unable to be with us.  She had just gotten back from Ireland the day before, but I'm not jealous

Flowers from mama's niece, our cousin Ann

Our youngest brother and his family live in Texas and were unable to join us for the day.

I hope mama and Mary enjoyed lunch and spending time with children.  We feel very blessed to have our mothers.

When Debbie and family came by my house to say goodbye......they had been in town for the weekend.......she told me mama was confused.  So when my phone rang later in the day and it was mama, I won't say I was surprised, but rather dismayed.  Sometimes, mama gets confused and wants to go home......the retirement center is her home now and she's been very happy there for several years.  

Mama was very upset and agitated and asked me to come get her and take her home.  I tried explaining that she was home, but she was having none of that and asked me to come please.  So I went, stopping on the way to get her some nutty buddy ice cream cones.....appropriate huh?  

After I had been explaining to her over and over again that she was indeed home and sensing she was only becoming more and more frustrated, I asked her caregiver to please go get her supper.  She was hungry and I was praying food would calm her.....it always helps me!  I also gave her a sedative, which didn't seem to calm her a bit at the time.  We talked and talked and talked and talked...well you get the picture...and eventually she was a bit calmer and I told her I needed to go home.  She reluctantly agreed and I went home with a heavy heart praying she would have a good night.  

By morning she was better.......after one of these episodes, she sleeps most of the following day and today was no exception.  

I'm just praying she'll have a few good days now.  We all know these confusing times will come and go and are something we just have to help mama deal with and be there for her.

And now for a true confession on my part.  I'm deathly afraid scared that I'm going to be just like mama when I get older.  My grandmother did this same thing and it's scary!  Please don't think I'm thinking only about myself.....I have two sisters who could do this too.  Whoever said getting old isn't for sissies was exactly right on the money!  

We've been so blessed having mama.  She's such a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother and has always given generously of her love and time to each one of her children.  I pray for her peace of mind in these years and that all her memories would make her feel joyful!

I hope you all had a wonderful mother's day and if you aren't a mother, I'm sure you've nurtured some children along the way and that counts!