Grandma Gets a Visit

Teresa stopped in Anchorage on her way back from a USDA trip down to Portland, OR.  She picked her up around 3 PM, had the opportunity to see her living area, meet the cat who befriends all those who love cats, and then took her to coffee at New Sagaya just a few blocks down.

She said Mom didn't recognize her at first until she got closer.  Then she was so, so happy to see her. She commented on how protective Jonni, Mom's over-protective roommate, is and how things she said made no sense at all.  I experienced that with Jonni at first as well, but she spoke very clearly the last time I visited, so I guess it comes and goes.  The over-protective, where-are-you-taking-her and you-can't-do-that persona does not come and go, however!

Teresa said Mom wore the beads she gave her when she left Fairbanks to move.  Teresa asked if she looked at the mountains from her bedroom window and Mom said she did and that she watched the planes/plains (?).  I wondered if she was remembering when she first moved into the assisted living home in Boulder, before she was well enough to move to her own apartment after Poppy died.  Her little room faced the "plains" and from there she could see the "planes" take off and land at DIA.  But then, she made a big deal about watching planes here in Fairbanks every day, so maybe she really does notice any plane that flies in and out of Lake Hood, ANC, or Merrill Field.  

Teresa asked if she liked living there and she told her that she did.  I am surprised at that because she always complained to us about Fairbanks Resource Agency (FRA).  I wonder if it was because she was more tired, having to go out every day and for such a long period of time.  It was true that she complained less about FRA when she didn't have to rush in the morning, when Marilyn started taking care of her and when Marilyn picked her up sooner in the afternoon.

Winter seems like such a long time ago.  it seems so long ago that she lived here now, but it's only been six weeks.  I guess the change in sunlight and temperature here in the Interior accentuate the time difference or maybe my emotions have traveled so far in that intervening time.

I also spoke briefly with one of the nurses at Anchorage Pioneer Home today when I called about some aspects of Mom's care.  She told me Mom was cute.  She said she would walk and walk and walk (with her walker).  Then she'd sit for a while and then they'd find her up walking again.  She seems to really like having all the space to move around in and the support of the walker.