A different set of eyes

The Tosa Skatepark

Well, three uneventful visits since the drama of last weekend. I don't know if she remembers it, but neither one of us has brought it up -- no doubt the wisest thing. She continues to cling at the end of a visit, but Wednesday I came in the middle of dinner, and then it was bedtime. Yesterday I went at 2:30 or 3, and by 4 she needed a nap, and dinner would be at 5, so time wouldn't have hung heavy. And today, Julie and I left her at the lunch table, where her friends Bev and Grace were still sitting, and though she quietly complained, it wasn't too bad.

Somewhere there's probably a data-driven study on this, but I take it for granted that a child -- a son, let's say (a purely random example) -- isn't going to be an entirely objective observer of his mom. So here's some notes from a private aide we've hired, who spends three mornings a week with Mom:

Day A:

Mary eating breakfast. After breakfast took her down to gym to work out. We had a full morning. She did a half-hour on sit/bike, threw a ball back and forth for half-hour. As we were walking back upstairs, in the craft room they were making pirate hats. We stopped and Mary made a hat and decorated it. She had a lot of fun hat-making. Took her to lunch. Mary had a great day and lots of fun. 

Day B:

Met Mary in hallway meeting area. She was very sad and crying. I asked her why she was so sad and she said she was lonely. I took her to the lobby to look at all the quilts (a hanging display). I asked her which was her favorite. She said they were all so beautiful she could not  make a choice. We went and sat in the Bistro for a while. A gentleman from her floor came and sat with us and he seemed to cheer her up. Mary wanted to sleep. Woke Mary up to take her to lunch.

Day C:

Picked up Mary from breakfast. She seemed tired but I wanted her to do a little exercise. Put her on sit/bike for 20 minutes. At least five people came to talk to her, including D (her first friend). Mary is very loved here. Taking Mary back to room, she was very sleepy. Let her rest. Took Mary to lunch.

My presence distorts the picture. This is a more accurate view, I think.

Hart Park