And we're back!

Voyageur and I were on a mini-hiatus...between crazy family antics and the progressiveness of dementia, we both needed to chill a little.  All I can say about family is to expect the unexpected and crazy antics.

I have to say I have a very different take on life, love and relationships than I did even a few months ago.  There are times when a relationship needs to be severed (sometimes for sanity's sake); dementia is a wake up call to live fully now...all the time; people with dementia are pretty freakin' funny; laughter is a lifesaver; crying isn't for sissies; I don't think I will ever again take any of my friends for granted; colors seem brighter, the air richer, my mood lighter.

Watching Mom drift in and out of confusion was hard while I was home over the holiday, but seeing how happy she gets over the smallest things made the time wonderful and miraculous.  Miraculous because I was given the chance to see the world through her eyes - the pure joy of eating ice cream every day, looking back at pictures and remembering, the simplicity of slowing down and enjoying each moment, knowing that there are no big deals - it's all in the perception.

I also learned (yet again) that Voyageur and I are in the perfect roles.  Mom and I went to the grocery store, and I tried what my sis does - redirecting Mom from buying things she does not need.  Mom would have none of that, gave me a look, and put the ice cream in the cart.  I don't know how Voyageur does it, just grateful that she does.

It was a really good trip back, even though I had to tell Mom 60 million times what I do for work and 20 million times where I live, each time she said Dad would be proud of me and she was proud of me.  There are times when I miss who Mom was, but incredibly grateful for who she is.

Back at ya sis!