Visit gives new outlook (6/20/05)

It has been a productive week. The stained glass picture frame I was fretting over is finished and looks acceptable enough for our niece’s wedding present. I didn’t even cut myself this time. The last of the marigolds are finally in the ground awaiting hungry rabbits. The baby blanket I am attempting to crochet for my upcoming grandchild is staying flat and somewhat square for the moment. Several huge projects are finally off my desk at work and are now somebody else’s problem. Life is good.

The week started off with a visit to my mother. We went to the local department store where she didn’t use her walker. She used the shopping cart for support. I didn’t notice any limping, wincing or even hesitation as we went in search of new kitchen curtains. She moved a lot faster than she has in a very long time. Her replacement knee must be healing up.

I can understand her reliance on the walker. Many of her contemporaries have fallen and broken their hips. It seems that when people her age break things they don’t recover easily, if at all. So if she wants to use her walker as a security blanket, I’m not going to quibble with her.

After we got back to her house I hung up one set of curtains for her. I teased her that the mice must have gotten into them because they had holes in them.

They had a cutwork pattern and since she wasn’t to have her first cataract surgery until the next day she thought I was serious. In about a month, after her second cataract surgery and a new pair of glasses, she will be able to see that she picked out some pretty curtains.

Both my brothers came over with their children. The first thing we noticed was that Ricky, the youngest boy, had a Mohawk. His cousin thought it was cool. I thought it looked strange but harmless. I have never been one to get upset over hair. He will get tired of the hairstyle soon enough and his thick red hair will eventually grow back.

We all had a nice visit and I could feel the tensions of the previous week melt away. It’s interesting how little it takes for the weight of the world to come down on my shoulders and how family can remind me what is important.

Mom’s cataract surgery Monday went well. Her doctor gave her a pencil, cup and a picture of himself so she was happy. The fact that the surgery didn’t hurt was a bonus. I hope that when her eyes heal up she can see well enough to do the things she wants to do. It will be nice to have her look at me and not see a black hole where my face is if I am in the sun.

It is doubly hard for her when she can’t see as she reads lips. This surgery should make that easier for her.

The literature the doctor gave her said she could drive in about a week. Maybe I should go shopping for a car for her? Since she hasn’t had a driver’s license in about 10 years I don’t think that will happen.

My daughter went to her doctor and they did yet another ultrasound. She said the baby is finally starting to look like a baby, “sort of.” It is nothing short of a miracle that they can tell what a fetus looks like at this stage of the game. I didn’t even know I was pregnant until I was four months along. I am thankful that she hasn’t had to deal with much morning sickness yet.

Speaking of pregnant, this time 32 years ago I was picking strawberries with my mother-in-law. I was nine months pregnant and as big as the proverbial house. I waddled down the rows stuffing the sweet berries into my mouth. No wonder my daughter likes strawberries.

We will leave for my niece’s wedding tomorrow. After a weekend of socializing with far-away family it will be back to work on Monday to start all over again. I wonder if any of the marigolds will survive the bunnies.

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