Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2008. It was Mattie's first month on chemotherapy. We were home between hospital admissions, and Kathie, Mattie's occupational therapist came to visit us. Kathie worked with Mattie from age two to age four, so before cancer came into our lives. Mattie and I had quite a journey together. At age two, he was asked to leave his Montessori preschool, since he bit several students and the director herself. Mattie was already seeing a speech therapist, as he was a late talker, but it was through the speech therapist, that we got connected with Kathie. Mattie had a sensory integration issue and for two years, Mattie worked with Kathie twice a week, and of course I had lots of homework to do. However, by the time Mattie entered kindergarten, NONE of his teachers knew he had any sensory issues. That was the beauty of early intervention and being connected to the right occupational therapist.
Quote of the day: If shopping doesn't make you happy, then you're in the wrong shop. ~ ANONYMOUS
I dropped my dad off at the memory care center today and then went grocery shopping. When I got home, I prepped dinner for tonight, and then I could tell my mom was bored and in need of direction. My mom hates staying home. She prefers going out and about, which makes my life much more complicated. I rarely have time to get anything done, because I am either balancing my mom's or my dad's needs. Or both of them at the same time. I used to get frustrated by this, now I just accept that this is my life as a caregiver. But it takes a lot of inner strength and patience not to blow up now and then.
I took my mom out to lunch and then shopping for clothes. There is an outdoor shopping complex near us that we both love. It is small, easy to walk, has lovely landscaping, and we have gotten to know the server at the restaurant there, as well as the women who work at Chico's. Which makes it a very social retail experience. One thing that is true about me, is that I like to connect and to get to know people. Though my life looks different now, the core of who I am has and will never change. I am fascinated by people, I love hearing their stories, and I absolutely appreciate their kindness to me, as I balance my parent's needs.
While helping my mom at Chico's today, I was running around looking at things and matching items together. I guess I appeared to know what I was doing, so much so that customers came up to me for help. You just got to laugh! I had to explain to them that I don't work there. One of my very first jobs as a teenager was working for the clothing store, The Limited. I always liked clothes, was interested in fabrics, colors, and putting combinations of items together. I suppose that has remained with me over all these years. Any case, the staff at Chico's told me that if I am ever interested in working there, that I should let them know.
What I do know is that getting away from home, was a positive outlet for us today. Given that very few days are positive here, I welcome one when it comes along.
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