Moving In Day

I called early Monday Morning: "Good Morning Mom" "Hey, I know" she replied in low tone as if keeping a secret. "You do? Okay I am picking you up for breakfast and we will go to IHOP". I replied in a cheery voice. "Okay, I'll see you". I hung up the phone with thoughts swirling in my head.

Could she know that today was the day we have been planning for the last month?
Did this important bit of information stick?
How was she going to react as all her belongings were taken from the home she has lived
in for two years, over to our home on the hill?
Will she have a setback, which often happens with a move? How bad will it be?

When Michael and I purchased our home, we planned on someday bringing Mom home.
So we looked for a home that was conducive to that plan. A second master suite with her own bathroom. Separate from the master and living area with lots of windows and early morning sun. 5 years ago when we moved to our house it fit the criteria. Back then, we had 3 of our 4 kids living with us. Now it's been just Michael and I for the last couple of years. But now, Mom needs us and it was in fact my husband that made the suggestion to get the process going.

My sister met us at IHOP. Mom was pretty curious with questions of what the day would hold and I kept it light till Sylvia came and joined us. She was looking around at the other patrons.
"I know that girl, she works where I live". "That man there, he is staring at me". I moved to block the view of the man sitting in her view. Sometimes her delusions are lighthearted and humorous and sometimes they are filled with paranoia.

'So Mom, today is the day...we are moving you to Norma's". Sylvia was sitting next to her and giving her a hug. "No, is that so?" She replied with question concern and smile at the same time.
The waitress came and took our orders and we talked about other things and Mom had forgotten the plan and just enjoyed the three of us being together. After breakfast, we went to the house and we waited for the movers to come with all her things. We didn't mention the move again and just enjoyed the outdoor swing and I put on the Podcast of her favorite church messages.

She LOVES listening to God's Word on the radio. Growing up she always had the radio playing with Christian programming and music. I especially remember the "Bible Bus" with Vernor McGee. This was one aspect she really missed for the past 5 years. The two places she had lived did not get her program without tremendous static and it made it impossible to listen to.
I am so thankful that my daughter taught me how to download the messages on the IPOD with total clarity. The first time she heard it she cried. "It's just like being right there in church".
Oh, I can't thank Jenny enough.

Before the movers came we had to run an errand...Mom sat in the front and Sylvia was in the
back. Suddenly she began to sob..."I am so confused, what is happening". Sylvia reached and wrapped her arms around her which seemed to give her permission to release her thoughts.
"I know you are trying to help but Sylphie, I'm so sorry to leave you". My mom has been living at the same place my sister worked. Sylvia is the marketer at the facility and this was a very good situation up until now. The past two years she would go in and greet Mom in the mornings and take morning strolls. She lovingly wrote the day of the week and schedule on a white board for her. Sylvia would pop in occasionally and say hello, have lunch with her. But the past few months things had changed and it was becoming difficult. Even though mom's mind was slipping away she segments of time which she was very lucid in her thinking. Now she needed Sylvia's assurance that she approved of the plan. "Mom, I am 10 minutes away, I am so close, I can be there when you need me. We will have our Sundays together and I will visit all the time".
Quiet sobbing still ensued. Few things will tear at your heart more than seeing someone you love in distress. Especially the mother that has always been there to give you comforting words, and tender care all your life. And suddenly feeling helpless in comforting her. My heart hurt.

She was sitting in the lazy boy back at my home and the doorbell rang and the movers were here. She had her eyes closed and we just let her rest in her own little world with the earplugs, listening to the Bible. Sylvia and I were directing where the boxes and furniture was to go.
In a matter of an hour all her earthly belongings were in my house with a few things in the garage. Wow. A new life for my Mom, and a new life for us. How would it all unfold.