Glue

It was about a year ago that I came to Comox with the intention of staying for a while to spend time with Mom - Dad too :-).  I was here for 2 months - the weather was beautiful and Mom was still at home - precious times. It's hard to believe a year has come and gone - puts me in a reflective state of mind as I realize how life has evolved and taken on a new shape.

I've been working from Comox the past week and have had several good visits with Mom. I'm grateful to be able to be here to spend time with her. Scott has been here working too and we've enjoyed the visit with Dad.  Last night, Scott bbq'd pork chops and made salty delicious KFC gravy to pour over mashed potatoes with jalapeño - nummy!  Oh - corn on the cob too. We enjoyed our meal and our time together, and when we visit Mom today, we'll be telling her about it. She likes to hear about what's going on and while we're not sure what she understands, we know she loves her family!  It's important for us to help her stay connected to her family, helping her to be a part of our lives.  Despite her circumstances, Mom is still the glue that keeps us together - as was and always will be.   Here's a great pic of Mom from my first visit with her this week- love that smile!  And a pic of Dad, Scott and I enjoying a lunch of Fish and Chips before going to see Momma...

Donkey Punch

A Donkey Punch is a cappuccino with chili flakes on the bottom and a generous portion of chocolate with whip cream to top it off. It is wonderful spicy hot coffee.

Two days ago I took one with me as I went to see Dianna. Of course she had to have some taking my drink before I had sat down. She wanted to try it. I told her it was hot, like in spicy hot so only take a sip. Not her. She proceeded to take a good mouthful getting a full guzzle. When she put the cup down she breathed out a WHEW and grinned from ear to ear. She loved it and wanted more.  See pic below.

The visit went well. Dianna was able to communicate better than usual so we had a good talk. She had lots to say and she asked me it I had heard from her family.  I could see she was disappointed when I told her no. She asked about Lisa and Scott.  I told her what I knew but had not heard from either recently. Again she was disappointed. We did have a few good laughs over her observations of some of the staff. She did reaffirm for me that she did like the Lodge and the people who work and live there.  The two hours went quickly.

I do want to make a couple of comments. First, in discussion with a good friend I was explaining my view that some of the strange things Dianna does, such as calling out my name as if I'm not there seemed to be a crying out for help. My friend was quick to point out that there is no way one can possibly know what she is thinking.

Secondly, it has been commented to me that this is not Dianna's blog but Lisa's suggesting the blog is more about Lisa's personal struggle with her Mom's illness.
I can't speak for Lisa but I can say this is true for me. The blog is a release mechanism that allows me to express the eternal hope I have for Dianna. What I write is for Dianna but I also choose events to write for me. Some would say I am still in denial which may well be true but I do believe one can always have hope and I will continue to do so.