A Care Home for Mom?

Art has often joked that we are running a care home. And to an extent, I guess we are. Our lives now revolve around mom's care. We had to modify the bathrooms in her living area to make it safer for her. Our lives are governed by those free times afforded us when she is at her day care from 7:30 when the Handi-Van picks her up until 3:00 on weekdays. 

Last Friday was Juneteenth so it was a holiday and mom was home from her day care which she absolutely loves going to. Art suggested doing something special with her (even though she will forget it all once it's over).

I was washing some garlic chives (nira) which I'd promised our Buddhist priest that I would bring for him. He is from Japan and loves this herb, like mom. 

Meanwhile, Art decided to pluck mom's eyebrows. She draws her eyebrows rather far above her actual brow so there's a lot of hair under it which can be seen. She's asked me to give her a razor to shave it. No way! 

Then she asked ME to shave it. No! That is way too spooky! I said I would pluck it, but she refused saying it would hurt. Well... while I was in the kitchen Art just told her to sit and he plucked it all. 

I walked in and caught this sight. She never flinched or showed that it hurt and was very happy to have it done by him. 😏

Once that was done, we stopped at our Buddhist temple where I dropped off the garlic chives for our priest. He happily spent time talking in Japanese to mom which she really enjoyed. There are so few people who she can speak to in Japanese now.

Once we left the temple, Art drove us to Don Don Donki in Kapolei where he planned to have us pick up some bentos for lunch.

Mom saw the unagi (freshwater eel) that she's always loved but said we shouldn't buy it for her because it was too expensive. It was about $15.00.

We knew that once she was done eating it, she would forget she had enjoyed it. She lives in the moment. But what the heck, we got it for her. 

Art and I just shared a chicken and salmon bento which... ummm... wasn't great. Ah well. 

And yes she loved every bite. We kept half for the following day so she could enjoy it again.

Once she had her nap, I gave her a hair cut which she was happy about and then helped her with her bath. 

I'm thinking back to my younger days when I was still dating. Once mom met Art he was the son-in-law she wanted. She said she didn't want to jinx things by stating her preference. But when I called to tell her that I'd accepted Art's proposal, she was over the moon. 

At our wedding, one of my aunts asked where I'd found Art because she wanted one like him for her daughter. 

And yes, mom is grateful for Art everyday and she still thanks him for the delicious food he prepares for her, all the places he takes her and all the little/big things he does for her. Even with her dementia, she doesn't forget.