This journey is an ever changing one.  It’s rare that any two days are exactly the same despite our efforts to maintain a relatively consistent routine throughout the week.

It’s becoming more and more difficult for her to get from point A to point B – even if there are just a few steps involved.  We’re now monitoring via a health tracker to keep closer tabs on her BP, BPM and Oxygen levels.  And we feel incredibly blessed if the number of steps per day hits the 100 mark!  She does likes the idea of a wearing a watch again, but isn’t all that thrilled that the band isn’t more than just functional.  We might have to look for another band that will make her feel more “fashionable.”

The cycle of sleepless or near sleepless nights is in full swing again.  Grateful to know we’ll be back to a regular sleep cycle again in a few days.

She still loves her André Riéu DVDs.  And we’re listening to music for most of her waking hours now.  The collection is growing.  She still refuses to “dance” with us though her feet move to the music and we’ve seen her holding her arms as if she is dancing or being the conductor of the orchestra.  Her smiles are broad and her eyes twinkle. Once again, the music brings the power of language back and we have some of the most amazing conversations – she’s alive again- even if it’s just for an all too brief moment in time.

She enjoys visitors – and she will be surprised once again when the family descends today for pictures and dinner this afternoon.  While the menu may not be one she’ll feel comfortable eating, with others in the same room, her standard “grilled cheese”  will be available.

We recently celebrated Mom’s 87th birthday.  Such a wonderful day despite the April showers.  Before the party, we were lucky to find a couple of fun photos from the past —

and continued the process of documenting her life. The photo to the left is Mom around age 2.  Looking forward to scanning more images as we continue to go through old scrapbooks and boxes of memorabilia that have been in storage for a long while.

We are anxiously looking forward to the weather warming up a little more and being able to take Mom outside to enjoy a few sunsets and dinner outside.  She says she’s looking forward to sitting outside for a while too and looking at the mountains, the fruit trees and wild roses that grow along the fence line.

We are grateful she still has her “voice,” her smile and twinkle in her eyes.  Her doctors are pleased with how well she is doing overall… and she’s been relatively healthy (knocking on wood) since early February.

She still enjoys music, watching old musicals and movies from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.  She prefers to just sit with her sunglasses on (her eyes are really sensitive to light) and listen to whatever her choice has been for the moment … she’ll tap to the beat of the music, try to sing along to the song with the lyrics she remembers.  Regardless, there’s always a smile that greets us even on a bad day.

It’s difficult at times to come here and document what’s happening…. but we are ever grateful for this opportunity to be caregivers and share this space with Mom.  She’s such a wonderful example of living with grace — we’re are truly blessed!

It’s been a while but we’re still here.

We’ve always known that music has soothed Mom’s anxiety.  Today when the power went out, she was a bit anxious.  Grateful for the hotspot  and having some of Mom’s favorite music in the queue.  She listened for nearly 2 hours….  smiles and tapping of toes, keeping time with her hands and finally, a brief nap while the tunes continued to play.

Tunes from the 40s, 50s and early 60s seem to bring joy to her.  So we’ve found several channels on Google music that she loves to listen to. She doesn’t like to wear headphones so we just turn up the volume a bit.

There have been several studies shared recently regarding music and Alzheimer’s patients.  The overall results indicate that music can be beneficial, especially when the music is something the patient can relate to.  I have to agree.  Mom loves musicals, the old standards and the big band era kind of music as well as classical and some opera.  She can’t always remember the artist or the name of the tune, but we’ve heard her singing along and she’s definitely able to keep time with the beat.

There’s joy in every note —

On a side note:  Mom’s eyes are very sensitive to light due to some of the meds she’s taking.  So she wears her “glasses” nearly all of the time. And we’ve fully transitioned to pallative care…  Every day brings new challenges for her and for us as her caregivers.  Mobility is our biggest concern at this point.  Her ability to walk has once again declined.

We are grateful for each moment we have to spend with her and treasure each.

It’s amazing how quickly the days have passed this month.  We continue to see small changes in Mom — grateful they don’t happen all at once!

We’re entering our 4th year as full-time caregivers and there are no regrets.  NONE!  We are blessed in so many ways.

Smiles and tapping of toes to the music you love to hear.  Old movies from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s bring you joy.  Visits from children, grandchildren beyond bring you happiness.

Remembering important dates are beyond you, Mom, but your face lights up and you delight in hearing it’s someone’s birthday or a day for celebrating anything!  You love to see pictures.  We’ve been blessed to become the “keepers” of our family history and we have enjoyed sharing our finds the last few months.  I hope the images we uncover over the course of the next few months will continue to bring joy and a smile to your face.

Talking on the phone is nearly beyond your reach, but there are days you surprise us and a full blown conversation unfolds before us.

You prefer sandwiches and finger foods.  Rice is a no and steamed carrots are a favorite.  We always have a back up plan if you don’t like the meal that’s been prepared — and there’s always a root beer float (with a scoop of protein powder) or a fruit smoothie if nothing else appeals to you.

Bedtime smiles, thank you’s and a deep breath of appreciation.  I love you’s and blowing kisses are still a part of our nightly routine.

Thanks, Mom for being so gracious in allowing us to be a part of this journey with you.