getting better

I'm getting better, my mother is getting better and one day I look forward to feeling less stressed and more rested. I'm still spending most waking hours with her, but a little less each day as she becomes more able to do things for herself. Mostly, I want to be available so she doesn't do things that she shouldn't. It's easy to over-extend oneself in this situation. You think, hey, I can put my pants on like I used to...only you can't and you fall down. Or you try to carry a glass of water while relying on a walker at the same time. But she's doing well and I have no doubt that in the near future she will be as independent as ever. Her mind is good. Still some memory problems, but nothing major.

Today I went out with the family for a quick lunch and a shopping trip to Target. It was overwhelming with too many choices, and people and stuff stuff stuff. I got a few things, but gave up on trying to find exactly what I was looking for. Tomorrow I go to the grocery store!

My sister-in-law will be doing all of our Christmas Eve dinner. All of it. It's a gift to us and it's a great idea. So, I only have to worry about the Christmas Day dinner with the in-laws. I can handle it. I'm past, way past, being too invested in anything, so the pressure is off. Merry Christmas.