Day Sixty-Eight - Sweet!

Today is my birthday. I love my summer birthday...it is the last hurrah between summer and school. I got to spend it with my Dearly Beloved and my Dearest Mother in one of my favorite places, Cape Cod. I received many phone calls and Facebook greetings from my family and friends. I had a lovely dinner in a favorite restaurant. Life doesn't get too much better than this!

Day Sixty-Four - Seriously?!

Dearest mother asked if I would get a sticker on her minivan. No problem! It expires at the end of the month. I grabbed the registration before we pulled out of the driveway AND...it had expired in May. Really? The car that I drove 150 miles on the highway in June? Nice. NO sticker for you today!

After that little surprise, I decided I would get organized to renew my license since it expires next Tuesday. I got the paperwork filled out, but have to go to the Registry to complete it on Monday. Dearest Mother passes me her license and asks when it has to be renewed....wait for it...it expired LAST NOVEMBER. So, I have a lovely senior citizen driving around in an unregistered car with an expired license. How fabulous is that?!

I told her I would start saving up for her bail money...

LOTS of Registry things to do on Monday!

Day Fifteen - So Long

Well, the Cape Cod sojourn has ended...DB came down this morning to bring me home. I had a great week...lots of relaxation, and quality time with Dearest Mother. Not ever sure how many more summers she will have in her little house at the beach, so it is nice to spend time together.

We had an uneventful trip back. As nice as it is to be away, it is equally nice to come home to your own bed! Tomorrow...time to plan my summer school schedule.

Day 7 - Summer Trek

Cape Cod Roadshow...Packed up the minivan, Mother, and ALL her stuff, and headed south. I have to say, it was smooth sailing! The stress was minimal, the ride was enjoyable, and I get to be at the beach for the next week! It doesn't get much better than that!

It is hard to see the extra equipment Mum needs this year...cane, wheeling walker, commode, Lifeline machine. Her legs are not in good shape, but I will make sure she is as safe as possible when I leave to head home.

Day Sixty-five - Risky

Had a very pleasant ride to the beach, early in the morning. NO ONE is heading towards the beach..., but there are miles of cars trying to head away, and over the bridge! Mom is rather delusional about the possible intensity of the storm. She does not see why I feel the need to move the porch furniture out of harm's way. We are a bit tense with each other. Thankfully, DB arrived later on diffuse us. Bridges are closed now - we are here to stay!

Day Twenty-two - Reminisce

DB and I decided to have the SILs over for dinner, before the ladies traveled back to Nevada on Saturday. The three of them have been working feverishly at Mother's house trying to tame, organize, and donate her vast quantity of books, dolls, craft supplies and clothing. They have made remarkable progress, and are totally exhausted. I am more emotionally exhausted. With more evidence of synchronicity everywhere around me, my two final students of the day at summer school cancelled. When I returned home, basking in the extra 90 minutes, my personal trainer messaged me to say that she had double-booked my make-up session, and would have to reschedule! Glorious! Lots of extra time not only to get ready for dinner, but to relax for a bit. The weather was perfect today; it was the kind of day that you long for all winter, and most of the summer in New England - 70s, low humidity, blue skies, nice breeze.

We had a really nice time tonight.  DB cooked the steaks and corn I had bought. The SILs each had a nice glass of wine, which relaxed them. We finished up with wonderful strawberry shortcake. We had many laughs remembering Mother and her jokester ways. Another wonderful day!

Day Twenty-one - Reluctant

Nice day at summer school. Only small number of students. I was really struggling to go work at rehab today; it just seems too soon to be completing swallowing evaluations, when Mother wasn't able to benefit from swallowing therapy. I also know that me not working doesn't help her, or bring her back.

Thankfully, and coincidentally, the rehab manager called and told me to take some extra time to heal. I was very grateful!

Day Nineteen - Reflect

We had a wake for Mother this afternoon. The SILs did a nice job with her outfit, and with a collage showing all the events in her life. Many neighbors, friends, and relatives  made the trek to the funeral home to pay their respects. There was lots of sadness and emotion, but the Lady is in a good place now. She lived her life on her terms, and I admire her for that. She may have had some regrets, but as she shared with me Wednesday night, she had let go of all animosity that she had been carrying around (possibly towards me...younger SIL told me Mother had some degree of jealousy about DB and my relationship...who knew?!).  We had a lovely meal together when everything was over, and had some good laughter remembering Mother. And now, to quote her favorite expression, "Life goes on!".

Day Eighteen - Reshape

Dearly Beloved is handling Mother's final needs well. He is a rock, and a rock star. The wake is set, the clothing is selected, the flowers are ordered, and phone calls have been made. I am there when he needs me, and I step away when he needs time alone.

Mother's yard is surrounded by a boxwood hedge - long, tall, endless, out of control, and very much in need of TLC. Since there really wasn't very much else I could do for her, I trimmed her hedge. I contributed, I got exercise, DB and SILs were grateful, and Mother would be happy. All in all, a good day.

Day Seventeen - Remember

Mother passed this morning. We were with her. We love her and we will miss her.