Manor, Part II

It's been two weeks and two days since my mother left her home.  She is now around 15 miles closer to me but it only shaves about 12 minutes off my drive time.  

I've been to see her several times but my sister goes every day.  She lives very nearby and we take a lot of comfort in that.  

This weekend would have been my turn to stay with her in the big woods and it felt strange not to go down there on Friday afternoon.  So I headed to the nursing home on Saturday morning, anxious to spend the day with her.

When I drove up, I saw a hearse on the side of the building.  I wondered how often it has to park there.  After all, this is a place for many, where time runs out.  Where last breaths are taken and where souls fly away.

When I got to her room, she was standing in the doorway, wondering I guess, what it was she was supposed to be doing.  She was so happy to see me.  But that's always been the case, no matter when or where.  

I brought some things from her home to put in her room.  Little by little it's becoming more cozy.  She is starting to settle in, even if she doesn't realize it.

Sometimes she'll even admit that she likes it.

Sometimes.

She enjoys her meals there.  When someone from our family isn't with her, she is seated with Mrs. L and Mrs. R, both fine ladies that she knows well.  

Mrs. L told us on Mama's second day, that she loves being there. She said they treat her well and the food is good. Her daughter goes to Mama's church and Mama taught her grandson to play piano. He is now the church pianist.  

Mrs. R goes all the way back to the Ready-mobile at Sopchoppy Elementary School where my Mama was Secretary for almost 30 years.  She's still as pretty as ever and I bet they enjoy talking about those days.  

So I decided to sign Mama out to take her shopping and for ice cream,  My sister had taken her on an outing a couple of days before.  We want her to realize she isn't a prisoner there.  After she's gotten more acclimated, we'll take her out for longer stretches of time.  Maybe have a family day at my sister Beth's or brother Clint's house.

Beth came just after lunchtime yesterday and we talked about doing this.  She said she saw a lot of cars at Mrs. L's house when she passed it.  I told her they must be having a family gathering, a reunion or a party since Mrs. L wasn't in the cafeteria for lunch.

My Aunt Joyce spent several hours with us yesterday as well.  Surely Mama realizes that the place she's in now offers promises of visitors every day, not just on occasion like it was when she lived so far away.

After they had left, I took Mama to get her nails done, then at 5:00 to her favorite activity, BINGO. I hugged her and headed home to my family.

I was feeling good about things, coming to grips with this being our new normal.  She was going to be just fine.

My sister called a few minutes after I drove away and told me why there had been so many cars at Mrs. L's house.  Her soul had flown away in the still of the night. That's why the hearse was there that morning.

No!  Please, not her.  She was so sweet and kind.

She was a Mama.

I felt a stinging in my heart and I said a prayer for her family.

Fly high, Mrs. L.  Thank you for showing Mrs. M the ropes...