Time Well Spent with Mam-ma Polly and Timothy

We've had several visits with Mam-ma Polly lately.  However, she hasn't always felt like walking the halls and pushing Timothy in her walker, which he loves.  We sat in the dining hall for a long time Sunday, looking at the fish tank.  Timmy loves it... and Mam-ma really needed to sit and rest.  It worked for both of them.

I'm seeing a steady decline in Mam-ma's overall health and well-being.  It's nothing definitive, but she is struggling to put her thoughts and words together, and that worries her.  She told my mom that a dear friend and table-mate, Ruth, asked, "What have I done to you?  You don't talk any more."  Mam-ma told Ruth that she had not done anything, but she also added (in true Mam-ma Polly fashion!), "You need to wear your hearing aids!"  Mam-ma doesn't understand that Ruth may have trouble using them in a noisy dining hall... and she may simply forget to put them in.  Regardless, she doesn't wear them to meals, so she can't hear what Mam-ma says... and that makes Mam-ma very unhappy!

We are enjoying our time with Timothy... he learns something new every day. I have enrolled him in a local daycare for a few days a week as a "drop-in."  He needs the structure and stimulation of being with other children; however, it's been harder for me than I thought.  I am the "mother" I laughed at when I was teaching - the one who worries that Timmy will cry or feel abandoned when I leave him.  And he did cry when I dropped him off Monday morning for a fun-filled day.  I stood outside on the sidewalk and listened until the crying stopped - less than 30 seconds!  All the way home, I told myself, "You are doing what is best for Timothy."  I've told myself that many times about Mam-ma Polly, as well!

I remember the day we drove her to the ALF to move into her new apartment. I felt like I was leading a lamb to slaughter as we drove out of her driveway... but I can see (and I knew at that time) that this was the best place for her. And it's much that way with my 2-year-old nephew. I know this is best for him... and it gives me and his grandmother a break... but it is hard to leave a child who is crying and asking, "DebDeb... where are oooo?" - even if you know he is in loving, capable hands.

This sandwich has many layers, and all of them have a lot of "flavor" - some are even a little bittersweet!