#6 The Prayer Flags

On the porch of our house, I've strung maha mantra prayer flags between the pillars. Whenever Lore and I sit outside, or when we drive up to the house, she always says, "I just love those."

#5 Driving Miss Lore

Last week was rainy and cold and I began to feel like the kids in Dr. Seuss's book  "The Cat in the Hat".  I knew Lore was feeling the same.The floors had been swept. The laundry was done. No ironing to do. Breakfast, naps and lunch had been had. We were b.o.r.e.d. She was cranky from looking at me ...and that happens sometimes. Cabin fever. Housebound. 

#4 Can I help?

Mother Lore always asks. From the very first, when I came to live with her she would ask, "Can I help?"

 I can't let her cut vegetables during meal prep. Sharp objects are a problem... she could cut herself and that would be bad.  Can't iron the clothes....I was concerned that she would burn herself on the iron.

Can't sweep the floor.How could I ask a 90something yr old lady to sweep the floor?... she  needs a cane to walk!

#3 The Prized Possession & The Pipal Leaf

 The Prized Possession

There is one thing that Mother Lore has, that I would say, is her most prized possession. At least 3 times a week she shows up , standing in the doorway of the kitchen, with it in her hands and asks "Have you seen
this?"
 It's a framed picture. A picture of herself with her son. She keeps it on her bedside table.

#2 Gute Nacht

Settling into a daily routine with another person in the house was an adjustment for Mother Lore. On one level she knew that it was the best thing for her, as she was not able to handle normal daily activities without assistance.But she is also fiercely independent and was quite unwilling to cooperate with anything that was less than total self sufficiency in her personal care.  Housecleaning and meal preps for her were ok in her mind. But it had become clear that shower assistance was necessary for her safety....and that was not ok. It's a very difficult mental adjustment to not be able to do for one's self anymore. 

I tried making a list of what to do in the morning .. but unless that came with an executive order signed by an attorney she refused to cooperate.

Notes from Mother Lore's caregiver

Dear Devotes and Friends

Please bless this simple and humble attempt to write of my  experiences and realizations of living with Mother Lore. There are some incredibly sweet moments in our daily life that I'd like to pass on to all of you. I know that many of you want to know how she is doing so I'll try to communicate with regular postings.