Beneath the Wraps

          Paul Cardall must have been 15 at the time he had worked at the ice cream store. They didn’t hire younger than high school.   But he seemed to have such a junior high awkwardness about him.   But he may have lacked in social skills because of his heart and hospitalization and being in and out of the doctors all of the time.   But I don’t know.   I didn’t really have a whole lot of interaction with him.   I’m sure our difference in age and maturity contributed to that.           Whenever Paul had been assigned to dishes and was able to listen to music – his music – some wholesome music even – the twerpy kid would disappear and he would actually turn into a regular human being.           Corey said he had had some nice conversations with Paul regarding music.   I would have never dreamed that he would ...

          Having a coat in Utah is a necessity – sometimes a few coats (as there are various kinds) but sometimes the amount of coats one has in his or her possession isn’t always seen as a necessity – but more of a desire.           I have never spent an outrageous amount for a coat.   I have usually gone for something economical pricewise. Warm.   Cute.   Except for one year when it seemed the only coats offered were either wool or those down filled sleeping bags with arms (that’s what I called them)   I’m allergic to wool.   Greatly allergic.   I had red rings around my wrists just from trying them on.   Seriously.             I did have a raincoat/trench coat at one time.   I’ve always wanted a rain slicker – but have never purchased one.   Though I did purchase a rain hat at one...

          Wow.  What a day.            Mom was discharged with a great bill of health.  Great . . .             The paper work had not yet been processed for the assisted living.  Mom didn’t have to go to a rehab center as had been speculated earlier.  She was discharged.  And it was up to me to drive her away from the hospital.           It was disheartening as I watched the nurses wheel her to the curb and load her into my car.  Less than nine years before, I had given birth to Jenna.  And it was mom who was driving while the nurses wheeled me out and loaded me up.  It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.  I absolutely HATE this role reversal thing.           So I take her to the house where she has lived for th...

          I went to several assisted living facilities by myself during November and December.  Many facilities would say they had no room but that we could get on a waiting list.  That seemed okay as my brothers weren’t looking to move her until maybe June or July. At each location I was asked, “Does your mom need assistance with the shower?”           “She can shower by herself.”  She could.  Two months ago.  Even just two weeks ago.  And then she’d forget to use soap.  And then she would just forget.           Last Tuesday I created this post.    It was a good day for her.   It turned out to be the last good day at home.   Her home.   The one she has lived in for the last 50 plus years but has forgotten.   We’re moving her into assisted living.   I don’t know when. ...

          In 1995 Paramont brought back the Brady Bunch.  A movie spoofing the TV series that has never been nominated for any kind of award, but has been in sindication for the last forty years.  The Brady Bunch Movie: a guilty pleasure for those who had watched every episode time and time again.           If one had not seen any episodes of the TV series, it was perhaps the lamest show ever.  But for those who grew up watching the Brady Bunch and practically had every scene memorized, it was a dang funny movie.           I remember going over to the mall with mom.  We had purchased our tickets and were standing in line – the ONLY line – the line for the Brady Bunch movie.  I don’t recall a neon sign above our heads informing any passer-by what movie we were in line to see.  But I did notice several individual...

          This post reflects stirred emotions that between October and mid December 2012           Poor mom.  For the most part we don’t know where she’s at.  The reality of her world is so far different from our own.           In her mind, she believes that while State Street was under construction, she and all the other residences in her neighborhood were evacuated.  The construction crew had asked them to move somewhere else.  Mom doesn’t remember where it is that she moved – but she is back – along with many of her neighbors.  For a while she wanted to make certain that everybody knows she’s back.  Now she wants to go back to wherever she thinks she lived before.  She doesn’t know the address though – but she says it’s a house.           She called Bill.  She always calls Bill’s cell phone when...