Oh Thou Lord of all religions,
Oh Thou All-Glorious Creator,
Thank you for my mother,
bless her
in her ascent
through the spiritual world
as she continues her journey
toward You.
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Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Saturday, May 09, 2020
Monday, March 11, 2019
Roses and Chocolates: Memories of My Mother
Mama loved roses:
her favorite blossoms were red,
and she like rich dark chocolates.
her favorite blossoms were red,
and she like rich dark chocolates.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
My Mother's Prayer Book
I open Mom's prayer book
I leaf through it
to find
Mama's favorite prayers.
Memories flow through my mind
of Mama
setting in her room,
reading prayers
before she left the house
to go to work
or shopping.
This poem is also posted in the journal Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardicon Items, in my writing.com port. I am Prosperous Snow.
I leaf through it
to find
Mama's favorite prayers.
Memories flow through my mind
of Mama
setting in her room,
reading prayers
before she left the house
to go to work
or shopping.
This poem is also posted in the journal Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardicon Items, in my writing.com port. I am Prosperous Snow.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Memories of my Mother
Jamál (Beauty), 19 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), 173 BE - Sunday, March 19, 2017 CE about 12:32 PM Pacific Daylight Time
My mother was born 96 years ago today on a farm in Oklahoma. Mom grew up in a farming community.
She met and married my father sometime during World War II. Dad was
stationed at Nellis in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Mom worked at a maid at
the county hospital here in Las Vegas. The hospital she worked at is now
University Medical Center located on West Charleston Avenue.
After
my parents divorce Mom worked as a waitress at Bob's Grill in
Blackwell, Oklahoma. We lived in a house on West College in Blackwell
and I attended the grade school just down the street from where we
lived. In Blackwell, we attended both the First Southern Baptist Church and the First Southern Baptist
mission, which was located in the Smelter Heights. Eventually we moved
to Shawnee, Oklahoma, where I graduated from high school.
We eventually moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. In Las Vegas, Mom worked at the Showboat Hotel Casino as a waitress in the
coffee shop and later in the employees dining room. It was in Las Vegas
that Mom and I heard about the Baha'I Faith and declared our belief in
Baha'u'llah. Mom ascended into the Abha Kingdom on February 29, 2012.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Twentry-three days to go
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Qawl (Speech), 170 BE - Sunday, December 1, 2013 about 9:18 am Pacific Standard Time
In twenty-three days, I will be sixty-seven years old or perhaps I should say sixty-seven years young. However, I word it I will be celebrating another birthday. It is a birthday I both look forward to and dread. I look forward to it because it means I am still alive and writing. I would say kicking, but at may age kicking anything can be dangerous because I could break a toe or fall and hurt myself.
As anyone reading this entry can see, my sense of humor is still going weird and strong. The question arises, "Why am I dreading this birthday?" The answer is easy, this is my second birthday without Mom present in my life. I almost wrote this is my first birthday without her present; however, Mom died on November 29, 2012, so last year was my first birthday without her in my life. For some reason, I forgot my 2012 birthday.
Since I forgot my 2012 birthday, does that mean I can tell everyone I am only sixty-six years old? I doubt if that would work, but it could be a conversations started. I do not think I need any conversation starters because lately I have found myself with a lot say, but no one to say it to. Since I have no one to talk to my blog entries may be getting longer this month.
In twenty-three days, I will be sixty-seven years old or perhaps I should say sixty-seven years young. However, I word it I will be celebrating another birthday. It is a birthday I both look forward to and dread. I look forward to it because it means I am still alive and writing. I would say kicking, but at may age kicking anything can be dangerous because I could break a toe or fall and hurt myself.
As anyone reading this entry can see, my sense of humor is still going weird and strong. The question arises, "Why am I dreading this birthday?" The answer is easy, this is my second birthday without Mom present in my life. I almost wrote this is my first birthday without her present; however, Mom died on November 29, 2012, so last year was my first birthday without her in my life. For some reason, I forgot my 2012 birthday.
Since I forgot my 2012 birthday, does that mean I can tell everyone I am only sixty-six years old? I doubt if that would work, but it could be a conversations started. I do not think I need any conversation starters because lately I have found myself with a lot say, but no one to say it to. Since I have no one to talk to my blog entries may be getting longer this month.
Friday, November 29, 2013
One Year Ago Today
Istiqlál (Independence), 7 Qawl, 170 BE - Friday, November 29, 2013 about 8:46 AM Pacific Standard Time
One year ago today,
I stopped writing
my 2012 NaNoWriMo novel
and it still lays in
my writing.com portfolio
waiting for completion.
One year ago,
I did not meet
the NaNoWriMo
50,000 word goal
This year,
on November 27,
I exceeded
the 50,000 word goal,
but I do not think
this year's novel
Midnight in Suburbia
is complete.
One year ago today
my mother passed away
and ascended into paradise.
One year ago today,
I stopped writing
my 2012 NaNoWriMo novel
and it still lays in
my writing.com portfolio
waiting for completion.
One year ago,
I did not meet
the NaNoWriMo
50,000 word goal
This year,
on November 27,
I exceeded
the 50,000 word goal,
but I do not think
this year's novel
Midnight in Suburbia
is complete.
One year ago today
my mother passed away
and ascended into paradise.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Thursday Memories of My Mother
Istijlál (Majesty), 10 Asmá’ (Names), 170 BE - Thursday, August 29, 2013 about 12:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time
I suppose it has to be this way,
like clouds
moving across the desert
randomly hiding the sun
without cooling the air
or depositing rain.
The memories arrive
in groups
and flocks
remain for a few moments
and then depart
leaving behind
unshed tears.
On Thursday afternoon,
when the central air
hides lesser noises behind
air current echoes,
I remember
the song she sang
in her last years on Earth
I smile,
I cry,
I am grateful
for the sudden arrival
of memories.
I suppose it has to be this way,
like clouds
moving across the desert
randomly hiding the sun
without cooling the air
or depositing rain.
The memories arrive
in groups
and flocks
remain for a few moments
and then depart
leaving behind
unshed tears.
On Thursday afternoon,
when the central air
hides lesser noises behind
air current echoes,
I remember
the song she sang
in her last years on Earth
I smile,
I cry,
I am grateful
for the sudden arrival
of memories.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Midweek Reflections: A To Do List versus An I Did List
‘Idál (Justice), 2 Asmá’(Names), 170 BE - Wednesday, August 21, 2013 about 11:00 AM Pacific Daylight
Time After several attempts at working a "To Do List" with little success, I have decided to take a different approach to the subject. A few years before my mother's death, we discussed how she did her house work and held down a full time job while raising four children. My mother told me that she wrote down the house work items she accomplished before going to work.
I ran across one of Mom's lists in a notebook, I looked it over and realized that she never wrote down the doing the dishes or laundry which she did everyday. Mom wrote down the big stuff that she had to do either once a week or once a month. That way she knew she had completed the task for that week or that month. Another thing I remember about Mom doing housework, is that she did not have specific days to do a specific job.
For instance, if Mom cleaned the bathroom on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday one week then the next week she would clean it on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. She worked the same way when it came to the kitchen or another room in the house. So I think I will stop attempting a "To Do List" and write "An I Did List", at least for housework.
Time After several attempts at working a "To Do List" with little success, I have decided to take a different approach to the subject. A few years before my mother's death, we discussed how she did her house work and held down a full time job while raising four children. My mother told me that she wrote down the house work items she accomplished before going to work.
I ran across one of Mom's lists in a notebook, I looked it over and realized that she never wrote down the doing the dishes or laundry which she did everyday. Mom wrote down the big stuff that she had to do either once a week or once a month. That way she knew she had completed the task for that week or that month. Another thing I remember about Mom doing housework, is that she did not have specific days to do a specific job.
For instance, if Mom cleaned the bathroom on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday one week then the next week she would clean it on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. She worked the same way when it came to the kitchen or another room in the house. So I think I will stop attempting a "To Do List" and write "An I Did List", at least for housework.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Feeling better on a lazy Sunday
Jamál (Beauty), 9 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) - Sunday, March 10, 2013 about 1:15 P.M. Pacific Time
It is Sunday afternoon and I am feeling better then I felt this morning or yesterday. I was in a mental fog all day Saturday, I was depressed and did not accomplish much. This afternoon, the fog has lifted; the problem is that I do not know what caused the problem. All though, it could be the fact that I am still in mourning for my mother.
I miss Mom so much and now that spring is arriving the feeling has increased. Mom's 92nd birthday will be March 19. I suspect that is the problem, I cannot celebrate it with her this year and I am not sure how I am going to celebrate the day or her life. The are certain days and seasons that seem to affect me more then others.
Spring was Mom's favorite season. Mom liked the sunshine, the flowers, and the warmer temperatures. Mom enjoyed going out to eat on her birthday. Mom enjoyed going to poetry readings, the nineteen-day Feasts, and Holy Day commemorations. Mom enjoyed getting in the car and riding around Las Vegas.
As I said, I am feeling better and the mental fog that concealed yesterday and this morning is gone. I want to cry and I want to eat strawberry pie. Strawberry pie was Mom's favorite desert. Mom also liked fried ice cream. I should eat one of Mom's favorite deserts on her birthday and then visit her grave.
It is Sunday afternoon and I am feeling better then I felt this morning or yesterday. I was in a mental fog all day Saturday, I was depressed and did not accomplish much. This afternoon, the fog has lifted; the problem is that I do not know what caused the problem. All though, it could be the fact that I am still in mourning for my mother.
I miss Mom so much and now that spring is arriving the feeling has increased. Mom's 92nd birthday will be March 19. I suspect that is the problem, I cannot celebrate it with her this year and I am not sure how I am going to celebrate the day or her life. The are certain days and seasons that seem to affect me more then others.
Spring was Mom's favorite season. Mom liked the sunshine, the flowers, and the warmer temperatures. Mom enjoyed going out to eat on her birthday. Mom enjoyed going to poetry readings, the nineteen-day Feasts, and Holy Day commemorations. Mom enjoyed getting in the car and riding around Las Vegas.
As I said, I am feeling better and the mental fog that concealed yesterday and this morning is gone. I want to cry and I want to eat strawberry pie. Strawberry pie was Mom's favorite desert. Mom also liked fried ice cream. I should eat one of Mom's favorite deserts on her birthday and then visit her grave.
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Day Six without Mama
Kamál (Perfection), 12 Qawl (Speech), 169 BE – Tuesday,
December 4, 2012 6:30 AM Pacific Time
I count the days Mom has been gone. This is day six without
her. This morning I woke up listening for her voice calling my name. Mom’s soul
passed into paradise on the morning of Thursday, November 29, 2012. I do not
know the precise time, but I do know it was later in the morning.
On the morning of Friday, November 30, 2012, the company
that provided them picked up the oxygen compressor, wheelchairs, walker, and
hospital bed. Then on Friday afternoon, we planned the funeral, which will
occur on Thursday, December 6. Perhaps then, the reality of the situation will
hit me.
Day six without Mama, I go through periods of numbness and
tears. I wake up at night listening for her voice or for the sound of the
oxygen compressor echoing through the house. I wonder what I will do will out
her and then I realize that I will survive. My mother survived her birth. My
mother gave birth to survivors. I am my mother’s daughter and I will survive.
Day six without Mama and I remember that this will be the
first birthday I celebrate without her. I was born on December 24, 1946; on
December 24, 2012, I will be 66 years old. I will celebrate my birthday because
birthdays are celebrations or commemorations of joyful exuberance or at least
without tears. I miss Mama.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
At 3:05 AM October 23, 2011
At 3:05 AM, I heard someone walking down the hall. I got up to see if I had left the door unlock, but instead of an intruder, I found Mom in the living room. I managed to convince her to go into the bathroom and change her cloths. Then we went back into the living room so that I could start giving her, her morning medication.
I convinced her to take the first pill and then began my day. After she took the pill, I went into the kitchen. Instead of taking my second pill of the morning, I started a carafe of coffee and then got us each two slices of pound cake. I did not realize until a few minutes ago that I forgot to take my pill. Getting old is not for wimps.
Since Mom got out of bed at 3:05 AM, I did not get my morning shower taken. It is a good thing I took a shower last night before going to bed. I took a shower last night because my psoriasis was itching and burning. I put baking soda on a washcloth and used that on my psoriasis. I did think the baking soda helped much last night, but this morning the psoriasis feels better and itches less.
In fact, Mom got up so early that I did not get a chance to do many things I planned to accomplish this morning. If Mom is going to get up early on the weekends, I have to rearrange my morning chores and activities so that I can do them in the evening.
Saturday, October 01, 2011
Keeping a Food Diary for my Mother
Jalál (Glory), 5 Mashíyyat (Will), 167 BE – Saturday, October 1, 2011 about 4:31 PM Pacific Time
Yesterday, I thought I would create a daily menu for October; however, I have changed my mind. I am going to keep a food diary for Mom and myself. There was an issue with Mom this morning and I am not precisely sure what caused it. I suspect the hot cakes we ate this morning caused the problem. However, I am not sure whether it was the hot cakes or the oil used to cook them.
I did not give her any margarine, but she did have syrup on them. Anyway, I will keep a food diary for the rest of October and see what causes the problem. Since I am keeping a diary for Mom, I may as well keep one for myself.
For lunch, we ate frozen dinners, which contained peas, meat, and potatoes. For dinner, we will have rice (cooked with shrimp bullion) and green beans. I am adding any meat to the rice because we have canned chicken and I do not want to use anything else that has salt.
Mom retains water (which was not the issue this morning) and her feet swell. Since a water pill lowers her blood pressure, she cannot take water pills.
Yesterday, I thought I would create a daily menu for October; however, I have changed my mind. I am going to keep a food diary for Mom and myself. There was an issue with Mom this morning and I am not precisely sure what caused it. I suspect the hot cakes we ate this morning caused the problem. However, I am not sure whether it was the hot cakes or the oil used to cook them.
I did not give her any margarine, but she did have syrup on them. Anyway, I will keep a food diary for the rest of October and see what causes the problem. Since I am keeping a diary for Mom, I may as well keep one for myself.
For lunch, we ate frozen dinners, which contained peas, meat, and potatoes. For dinner, we will have rice (cooked with shrimp bullion) and green beans. I am adding any meat to the rice because we have canned chicken and I do not want to use anything else that has salt.
Mom retains water (which was not the issue this morning) and her feet swell. Since a water pill lowers her blood pressure, she cannot take water pills.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Convincing my mother to eat
‘Idál (Justice), 8 Kalimát (Words), 167 BE – Wednesday, July 20, 2011 about 5:30 PM Pacific Time
I finally figured out how to get my mother to eat. The discovery was an accident. I had some fresh frozen peas, green beans, carrots, and corn, in the freezer. I made soup with the vegetables and a shrimp bullion cub, Mom loved it. She ate everything in the soup bowl and asked for seconds. We finished that soup on Monday.
On Tuesday, I mixed some canned green beans, carrots, and peas with a can of chicken. Tomorrow, I have to fix something else, but I have not decided what. I still have some frozen corn and green beans in the freezer, perhaps I can mix a can of peas and carrots with those. I still have a couple of cans of chicken I could mix with that.
On July 30, I will pick up a fruit and vegetable box I ordered earlier this month. It contains ears of corn, squash, cabbage and carrots; I can fix a salad and fried squash or fix a zucchini salad; Mom would like that. In the mean time, Mom will have to be satisfied with canned fruit and vegetables. In addition, to a box of instant potatoes, have some pork chops and a couple of small steaks in the freezer; perhaps we will have those with some potatoes and gravy on Saturday. Mom likes mashed potatoes and gravy.
I finally figured out how to get my mother to eat. The discovery was an accident. I had some fresh frozen peas, green beans, carrots, and corn, in the freezer. I made soup with the vegetables and a shrimp bullion cub, Mom loved it. She ate everything in the soup bowl and asked for seconds. We finished that soup on Monday.
On Tuesday, I mixed some canned green beans, carrots, and peas with a can of chicken. Tomorrow, I have to fix something else, but I have not decided what. I still have some frozen corn and green beans in the freezer, perhaps I can mix a can of peas and carrots with those. I still have a couple of cans of chicken I could mix with that.
On July 30, I will pick up a fruit and vegetable box I ordered earlier this month. It contains ears of corn, squash, cabbage and carrots; I can fix a salad and fried squash or fix a zucchini salad; Mom would like that. In the mean time, Mom will have to be satisfied with canned fruit and vegetables. In addition, to a box of instant potatoes, have some pork chops and a couple of small steaks in the freezer; perhaps we will have those with some potatoes and gravy on Saturday. Mom likes mashed potatoes and gravy.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Encouraging my Mother to eat
Istijlál (Majesty), 2 Kalimát (Words), 167 BE – Thursday, July 14, 2011 about 5:55 PM Pacific Time
I finally figured out the secret of getting my mother to eat. It is a simple process of fixing a meal with different tastes. I noticed a few days ago when I fixed some leftovers. I mixed different vegetables with two different types of meat. When I give it to Mom, she ate everything on her plate or rather in her bowl.
Mom likes to eat her food out of a cereal or soup bowl. It does not matter what she is eating, she wants it in a bowl rather then a plate. As long as she eats, I do not care what type of plate or bowl wants her food in. I am happy to find out she eats better if the food has different tastes and textures.
Today, I fixed vegetable soup. I mixed four different types of frozen vegetables together and let them cook in the slow cooker. To the vegetables, I added a shrimp bouillon cube. Mom enjoyed the veggie and she ate everything in her bowl. Tomorrow I will warm some of the soup up in the microwave and maybe add some canned chicken or fish. I think I have a can of salmon in the pantry.
I finally figured out the secret of getting my mother to eat. It is a simple process of fixing a meal with different tastes. I noticed a few days ago when I fixed some leftovers. I mixed different vegetables with two different types of meat. When I give it to Mom, she ate everything on her plate or rather in her bowl.
Mom likes to eat her food out of a cereal or soup bowl. It does not matter what she is eating, she wants it in a bowl rather then a plate. As long as she eats, I do not care what type of plate or bowl wants her food in. I am happy to find out she eats better if the food has different tastes and textures.
Today, I fixed vegetable soup. I mixed four different types of frozen vegetables together and let them cook in the slow cooker. To the vegetables, I added a shrimp bouillon cube. Mom enjoyed the veggie and she ate everything in her bowl. Tomorrow I will warm some of the soup up in the microwave and maybe add some canned chicken or fish. I think I have a can of salmon in the pantry.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Update since my last post
Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Jamál (Beauty), 168 BE – Friday, May 6, 2011 about 11:30 AM Pacific Time
My last post was on Sunday, May 1. It has been a busy and stressful week. On Monday, May 2, I called an ambulance for Mom and they took her to Valley Hospital. I thought Mom was having a heart attack because she indicated she was having chest pain. She was not having a heart attack.
On Monday evening, the hospital transferred Mom to a rehabilitation hospital and care center. Mom is still there and has two therapists working with her. One is a physical therapist and the other is a speech therapist. Monday I spent all day at Valley hospital and then on Tuesday morning I went to see Mom before my 10:00 AM appointment.
Wednesday and Thursday, I spent the morning at the rehabilitation center. On Thursday, Mom seemed to be doing better because she was out of bed; in addition, Mom went to the gym with the physical therapist. I am going to see Mom this afternoon. This morning I just could not make myself get up when the alarm went off. I am still a bit tired, but I am not too tired to drive to the care center.
My last post was on Sunday, May 1. It has been a busy and stressful week. On Monday, May 2, I called an ambulance for Mom and they took her to Valley Hospital. I thought Mom was having a heart attack because she indicated she was having chest pain. She was not having a heart attack.
On Monday evening, the hospital transferred Mom to a rehabilitation hospital and care center. Mom is still there and has two therapists working with her. One is a physical therapist and the other is a speech therapist. Monday I spent all day at Valley hospital and then on Tuesday morning I went to see Mom before my 10:00 AM appointment.
Wednesday and Thursday, I spent the morning at the rehabilitation center. On Thursday, Mom seemed to be doing better because she was out of bed; in addition, Mom went to the gym with the physical therapist. I am going to see Mom this afternoon. This morning I just could not make myself get up when the alarm went off. I am still a bit tired, but I am not too tired to drive to the care center.
Monday, August 09, 2010
My Mother had a dream last night
Kamál (Perfection), 9 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Monday, August 9, 2010 about 7:44 AM Pacific Time
Mom had a difficult night. She woke up about 11:00 PM wanting to call her parents to come and get her. Mom did not remember that Grandma and Grandpa died over twenty years ago. Mom knew her address here in Las Vegas; she just did not know where she was.
Mom wanted her purse and a telephone so that she could call her parents to take her home. This morning, Mom did not remember getting up and coming into the living room. Mom remembers waking up to find me in her room. Mom is not upset about her experience last night, which is good.
I suspect Mom had a dream, but did not realize it was a dream. This is the first time this has happened this year. Mom had a similar experience last year. I will talk to Mom’s doctor about it on Tuesday. I believe this is another Alzheimer’s episode and I have to get used to Mom waking me up at odd hours of the night.
Mom had a difficult night. She woke up about 11:00 PM wanting to call her parents to come and get her. Mom did not remember that Grandma and Grandpa died over twenty years ago. Mom knew her address here in Las Vegas; she just did not know where she was.
Mom wanted her purse and a telephone so that she could call her parents to take her home. This morning, Mom did not remember getting up and coming into the living room. Mom remembers waking up to find me in her room. Mom is not upset about her experience last night, which is good.
I suspect Mom had a dream, but did not realize it was a dream. This is the first time this has happened this year. Mom had a similar experience last year. I will talk to Mom’s doctor about it on Tuesday. I believe this is another Alzheimer’s episode and I have to get used to Mom waking me up at odd hours of the night.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Getting my mother to eat
Istijlál (Majesty), 18 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 166 BE – Thursday, June 3, 2010 about 7:53 AM Pacific Time
Getting Mom to eat is becoming difficult, she eats a little bit at a time and then doesn't want to eat any more. The doctor gave her a medication that increases her appetite, which improves the situation a little. Mom eats better when we go to a restaurant then when we're at home. The only exception is fast food that I buy and bring home Mom eats that fairly well.
Mom's doctor wants here to gain weight, but she can't gain weight if she doesn't eat. The last time the doctor weighed her, the scale read 99 lbs. The doctor wants her weight to be about 115 or 120 lbs. I will be happy is she gets to 110 lbs.
I ask Mom what she wants to eat and she says, "I don't care. Whatever you fix is fine with me." The idea solution, is to take her to a restaurant for one or two meal a week. I know she would gain weight, but the problem with that is money. We just can't afford to go out to eat more then once or twice a month. The only thing I can do at this point is encourage her to eat and make sure she takes her medication.
Getting Mom to eat is becoming difficult, she eats a little bit at a time and then doesn't want to eat any more. The doctor gave her a medication that increases her appetite, which improves the situation a little. Mom eats better when we go to a restaurant then when we're at home. The only exception is fast food that I buy and bring home Mom eats that fairly well.
Mom's doctor wants here to gain weight, but she can't gain weight if she doesn't eat. The last time the doctor weighed her, the scale read 99 lbs. The doctor wants her weight to be about 115 or 120 lbs. I will be happy is she gets to 110 lbs.
I ask Mom what she wants to eat and she says, "I don't care. Whatever you fix is fine with me." The idea solution, is to take her to a restaurant for one or two meal a week. I know she would gain weight, but the problem with that is money. We just can't afford to go out to eat more then once or twice a month. The only thing I can do at this point is encourage her to eat and make sure she takes her medication.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Beginning of a New Week in Las Vegas
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Bahá (Splendor), 166 BE – Sunday, March 29, 2009 about 6:07 AM Pacific Time
It's Sunday morning, March 29, in Las Vegas and the beginning of a new week. I have a load of cloths in the dryer and coffee brewing in the pot. I look out my living room window and the sky is still dark, but I can see the velvet black sky slowly change and fade to deep predawn blue.
A new week has begun and soon a new month will begin. It's almost four months into 2009, the year is passing quickly. Perhaps it is passing too quickly, but nothing I can do nothing to slow the passage of time. The only thing I can do is take advantage of the time I have and use it to the best of my ability.
I know that I do waste time either through worry or through procrastination. The time I spend with my mother I hope I'm not wasting, but I suspect part of my time with her may be wasted. My mother is 88 years old and she has acquired a lot of wisdom in those 88 years. I need to find out some of the things she has learned while I have the chance.
I know that while my grandparents will still on this plane of existence I didn't ask them questions and glean the wisdom of their lives. There are things I would have like to have known and now it's too late to ask them questions. However, it isn't too late to ask my mother questions and then record her answers. To find out what Mom thinks about the changes that the world has gone through in the past 88 years.
It's Sunday morning, March 29, in Las Vegas and the beginning of a new week. I have a load of cloths in the dryer and coffee brewing in the pot. I look out my living room window and the sky is still dark, but I can see the velvet black sky slowly change and fade to deep predawn blue.
A new week has begun and soon a new month will begin. It's almost four months into 2009, the year is passing quickly. Perhaps it is passing too quickly, but nothing I can do nothing to slow the passage of time. The only thing I can do is take advantage of the time I have and use it to the best of my ability.
I know that I do waste time either through worry or through procrastination. The time I spend with my mother I hope I'm not wasting, but I suspect part of my time with her may be wasted. My mother is 88 years old and she has acquired a lot of wisdom in those 88 years. I need to find out some of the things she has learned while I have the chance.
I know that while my grandparents will still on this plane of existence I didn't ask them questions and glean the wisdom of their lives. There are things I would have like to have known and now it's too late to ask them questions. However, it isn't too late to ask my mother questions and then record her answers. To find out what Mom thinks about the changes that the world has gone through in the past 88 years.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Today my mother is 88 years old
Istijlál (Majesty), 18 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 165 BE – Thursday, March 19, 2009 about 3:17 PM Pacific Time
Today my mother is 88 years old. Mom was born in 1921 on a farm in Oklahoma. Mom was an only child, but she did have cousins to play with with she was growing up. Mom worked all her life most of the time as a waitress. I worry about Mom and Mom gets upset when she realizes I worry about her.
Recently Mom had a cataract removed from her right eye. She can't bend over below the waist until after her next eye doctor's appointment, which is in April. Mom is going to have another out patient procedure the end of this month. She is going to have a blocked tear duct opened.
Since 2007, Mom has been in and out of the hospital, as well as various out patient procedures. Mom's biggest concern now is that she can't bend over below the waist and it prevents her from doing some of the housework. Mom doesn't like not being able to sweep and mop, but the jobs will get done; perhaps not as fast as if we were both working at them, but they'll get done.
Today Mom and I went out to eat for her birthday. Mom likes eating out, going to movies and to poetry readings. We will start going back to the poetry readings in April. Next Tuesday I have my bottom teeth pulled and the rest of my dentures put in, so that will keep us home most of the day. Mom doesn't drive anymore so when we go anywhere, I'm the one doing the driving.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Midweek Reflections March 18, 2009
‘Idál (Justice), 17 ‘Alá (Loftiness), 165 BE – Wednesday, March 18, 2009 about 12:23 PM Pacific Time
This Wednesday, hump day and I am standing at the crest of the week. When I looked at my mother yesterday, I realized that she looks like my grandmother. I haven't noticed the resemblance before and I'm not sure why I noticed it now. Perhaps it has something to do with my mother's birthday tomorrow, I don't know.
This morning, when I looked in the mirror I realized that I'm looking more like my mother every day. I suppose this means that I will eventually look like my grandmother. That is an interesting thought, not a frightening as I used to think it would be. Perhaps that has something to do with the wisdom I have acquired over the past 62 years.
I realized about ten years ago that I was beginning to look like my mother. It was a frightening thought then, but it's not anymore. I look like my mother. My mother looks like my grandmother. I suspect my grandmother probably looked like her mother; like my great grandmother.
I know that the resemblance has more to do with genetics then anything else. Now I'm wondering if my daughter, whom I gave up for adoption when she was born, will look like me. I will probably never know that until I pass into the next world and that will be a long time because I want to live to at least 100 years old.
This Wednesday, hump day and I am standing at the crest of the week. When I looked at my mother yesterday, I realized that she looks like my grandmother. I haven't noticed the resemblance before and I'm not sure why I noticed it now. Perhaps it has something to do with my mother's birthday tomorrow, I don't know.
This morning, when I looked in the mirror I realized that I'm looking more like my mother every day. I suppose this means that I will eventually look like my grandmother. That is an interesting thought, not a frightening as I used to think it would be. Perhaps that has something to do with the wisdom I have acquired over the past 62 years.
I realized about ten years ago that I was beginning to look like my mother. It was a frightening thought then, but it's not anymore. I look like my mother. My mother looks like my grandmother. I suspect my grandmother probably looked like her mother; like my great grandmother.
I know that the resemblance has more to do with genetics then anything else. Now I'm wondering if my daughter, whom I gave up for adoption when she was born, will look like me. I will probably never know that until I pass into the next world and that will be a long time because I want to live to at least 100 years old.
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