“I like working with you, ” she said casually as I walked away.
Why did this make make me tear up?
We had spent a few minutes, about 60, working on the greenhouse, repotting seedlings, watering.
“I like working with you.”
But you taught me all this we do.
I tear up because she doesn’t remember.
“I like working with you.”
She’s miles into the ALZ, but when I told her I wanted to take my flailing little seedlings to the greenhouse, she put on her jacket and followed me. She knew what needed to be done.
As I shook the delicate roots of the seedlings apart and repotted them into pierced Dixie cups, she collected rat-chewed bags, pulled down dried vines, then swept away the cobwebs. She prepped the greenhouse.
“I like working with you.”
She acts amazed when I pull off moves much less complex than the ones I watched her perform over the years. I tear up because she doesn’t remember that she taught me how.
“I like working with you.”
Mom, I love working with you. You’ve trained me well.
©Pennie Nichols. All Rights Reserved. 2020 Alzheimer's
God bless her!
It wasn’t often but mom would say things out of the blue that would just kick me in the gut. I remember a particular time we were with my older brother and when he got out of the car she touched my shoulder and said, “I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have you”. It absolutely floored me and I sat in the front seat silently crying. I still remember how it made me feel.
What I’m learning is that part of this journey for her is making her MORE connected emotionally and spiritually. I haven’t wrapped my head around all of that yet, but I see this happening.
Knowing coworkers like and trusted me helped me make it though each day. When they expressed it, it was even better. Great post
What a gift a compliment like that is.
Truly is!
Thanks be to Jesus for precious memories! Luv y’all!