Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. This was what a typical physical therapy session looked like for Mattie. He had an entourage! Behind him were his art therapists, his social worker, and a physical therapy intern! Literally it took all of our energy to motivate Mattie to try to walk and take a few steps. Mattie was weak and very scared that he was going to fall and further injure himself. The emotional support of the team is something that remains in my mind and heart always. Amazing women!
Quote of the day: And I felt like my heart had been so thoroughly and irreparably broken that there could be no real joy again, that at best there might eventually be a little contentment. Everyone wanted me to get help and rejoin life, pick up the pieces and move on, and I tried to, I wanted to, but I just had to lie in the mud with my arms wrapped around myself, eyes closed, grieving, until I didn’t have to anymore. ~ Anne Lamott
If you have been following along, then you know I have been feeling sick since the last week in January. I am still struggling, and I am wondering if these sinus infection symptoms will ever disappear! Of course not being able to rest for a minute doesn't help. For the past two days, I have been dealing with my dad's irritable bowel issues and I will spare you the details, other than mornings are hellish in my house.
This afternoon, I had to go to the pharmacy to pick up four different medications for my dad. What does it say when the pharmacist knows me?! I am not kidding! She literally saw me today and screamed out from behind the counter.... how is your dad? She is a wonderful person and very knowledgeable. She has a countless number of customers, but she gets to know your story and who you are caring for! She knew all about the medication changes we recently made, because I inputted this feedback in the CVS portal and she called me immediately on Saturday to discuss it! I told her today that I am grateful she is on our case, because I appreciate all knowledgeable eyes on my dad's prescriptions.
When my dad goes to his memory care program, I take my mom out for tea. Our local Starbuck's has become a form for therapy for both of us. I know the general manager and mostly everyone who works there! They all know I am a caregiver and whenever the manager is working, he brings all the items I order directly to the table for me. That may not sound like a big deal, but to me this form of kindness is so deeply appreciated. The manager is going on a trip in about two months and every time he sees me he says..... I so wish you were going on a vacation too..... you deserve it more than me. To which I usually laugh, as he works very hard interfacing with the public. But to some extent his comment reminds me that the last time I went on vacation was in 2021 (and I was married, when the world made more sense to me). Since that point, I have never had a day without great responsibility, caregiving, and intense house and financial pressures.
Later in the day, while putting the laundry away, I noticed an SUV pull up on my street and dropped two young people off. They weren't purposefully visiting someone, they were literally standing in the middle of the street for five minutes. This caught my attention, as we live in a world now, when safety and security are of utmost importance. I watched these two people go door to door to my neighbors. So I texted my neighbors inquiring who these people are and what did they want! Thankfully my neighbors understand my desire to be in the know and how I take our community's safety seriously! These two were apparently selling windows, and fortunate for them they did not come to my door. However, they saw me watching them and I photographed them too!
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