Quote Originally Posted by catland View Post
One thing I've learned (the hard way), is that no matter how much you want someone to behave and not be a brat (or other B** words, you fill in the blank), when the going gets tough - it just ain't gonna happen.
SO friggen true!

Quote Originally Posted by catland View Post
As dementia has taken over my mom, I started visiting her and my dad for dinner every Thursday (a good day, don't you think), for over a year now. I was always the odd one out and haven't been all that close to my folks in my adult life even though we live in the same metro area. But I wouldn't trade my new "Thursdays" for anything.

My dad is one of those WWII kind of guys, not one to ask much for help or express his feelings. But a couple of weeks ago he mentioned how glad he was that I come over every week. It gives him something to look forward to.
CL,
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

I can guess that you bring over one of mom's special treats, stay and do dishes and not rush off ofter you finish eating! When my dad was 'going' mentally there were times where he was not allowed to drink excess amounts of water because of his dialysis. There were times that I'd go over with a mixed drink or a shot in a glass and give him a "hit" my mom would yell at me and I'd tell her that a shot would not kill him....and it didn't! I do remember the knowing look on his face when i'd hold up the glass, just out of mom's view, and he'd give me the head nod! It wasn't a whole bottle of booze or anything like that......Why deny someone a taste of everyday life?

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I had always suspected that Ma was looking for her daughters to come over and do a small favor for her.....They really hurt my chances to do some good for her. THe last few years I'd offer to take her to lunch and she'd get ticked off when I pursued the thought, "I don't like the way you drive!" was the stock answer. But I realized just recently that she didn't want to get ready because she thought I WOULD CRAP OUT ON HER!

One of the last times we went shopping (I had to drag her out of the house almost!) we went to a Target store. I finished my shopping while she roamed around with her purchases- It took me a half hour to find her and we ended that trip having a hotdog, coke and munchies in the food court at the front of the store. That was a fun time!

Another one of the things that I secretly enjoyed was the scathing remarks she'd make to me in public! We were in the cat department of a Big Lots store and she started in on the Edster and how he had knocked down some stuff she had in her house during one of our visits! She was getting loud so I walked away from her...later on we had a good laugh about that.

Thanks for telling us about your Thursdays!