Sunday, August 27, 2023

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2008. This was one of the first ceiling tiles we worked on as a family. Mattie's art therapists knew he loved Scooby Doo. So they stenciled a scene on a ceiling tile, and we worked to paint it in. This tile eventually went on the ceiling of one of the HEM/ONC clinic rooms. Whenever Mattie was in that room, he would comment..... we did this tile together. 

Quote of the day: It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed. ~ Doe Zantamata

I am trying to come up with activities that we can all do together, that are more stimulating, that get us to talk, and interact. I asked my dad if he would try to do a puzzle. He said yes, and wanted to do a map of the USA. So I got this puzzle and we started it yesterday and finished it today.

This 250 piece puzzle is designed for ages 8 years old and up. Mattie used to be a wiz kid at puzzles and I wish he were here to help coach us along. 

This is the finished product. Ironically if you asked my dad whether he enjoyed working on this yesterday, he would have said, "No!" Today, I took a different tactic with him. Instead of asking him to help do the puzzle, I had him watch my mom and I. I thought he would have been bored or disengaged, but he seemed to like the process of watching us, and for him, he truly was engaged in the activity. After we assembled the puzzle, we reviewed the states and where they were located. To make a long story short, my parents requested more puzzles, which to me is a great activity, especially as the weather will begin to turn cooler. 

How I wish my parents could entertain themselves, engage with each other, or help support one another. Those days are long gone. So in addition to being their physical caregiver, there is a great deal of emotional work and companionship. Needless to say, they are lucky that I have the patience, will power, fortitude, and strength to handle this routine, because to be quite honest I am not sure every adult child could or would take this on.