2018 Week 4: Mentors, Mother, Meals and more

Spring-like weather this week, and still signs of Christmas remain. 

Did any of you know that this is National Mentor Appreciation Week? 

My favorite mentor explaining a design

Monday meals are a fun getaway for us. We can always expect good food, but we never know who will show up. The surprise guests this week were four siblings from the Blakely family and a friend who's worked on Sam's crew off and on. 

Sobremesa=lingering conversation after a meal

The plan was to spend the rest of the week at Grace Village in Winona Lake (an hour and a half away) clearing out Mother's Assisted Living apartment and help with her move to Health Care.

Tuesday when I arrived I was informed I must wear a mask due to an outbreak of the flu. In fact Mother had tested positive for influenza strain A. She insisted she did not have the flu and indeed was mostly asymptomatic, only an occasional rattly cough. The first Xray, taken there with the mobile device, concerned the doctor and he recommended a trip to the ER. That adventure for the day served to confirm that her lungs were clear! 

Mother's response, "So the trip was in vain?"

I suppose the long waits and two ambulance transfers were worth the good report and peace of mind.

Influenza A; obligatory masks; long wait in the ER; the "mummy" is back!

Mother was confined to her room till further notice, so we ate our meals there and indulged in our favorite activity--reading old family letters. 

As often as possible I worked in Mother's old apartment, mostly evenings until midnight. I sorted through clothers, jewelry, drawers, desk, closets, kitchen, bathroom, etc.

Thursday, while Mother was having her hair done, we moved her things into a shared room, her rehab skilled care had ended. Ivan and I transformed the space into a more cozy and comfortable abode. 

She has the window side with a lovely view, especially in the spring when the flowers are out.
Her roommate, Ellen, is a pleasant, cheerful lady, who likes to roam the halls.

The transition was smooth. Mother was no longer quarantined and could choose between two dining rooms. We tried both. She chose the one she was accustomed to already.

Ivan had packed the many bigger boxes and bags into my car. Friday I loaded the remaining accumulations. The car could hold no more and I was eager to get back home.

The best surprise of the day was mid-morning when I stopped in to see Mother. She was not in her room. I was told she was in the art studio. I was so thrilled. We had hoped she would get involved there. (Read the background story of her art box.) Back then she had gone once and gave up on the experience. "All we do is color," she said. She now understands the progression, and lives much closer to the studio. She also enjoys going to other activities, including Bingo.

Moriah had been gone since Tuesday as well--the engineering students intensive "retreat" to wrap up January term. She showed us her final team project, a girating lantern.

Saturday was Elijah's 13th birthday. The family celebrated this milestone by meeting at the Chinese restaurant of his choice on Sunday. What a great idea!

College-boy Malachi was home for the weekend.

Rebecca was enthralled with the fish.

Jude threw a couple coins in the water. 

A kid nearby said, "You have to make a wish."

Jude: "Wishes aren't true. Only Jesus."

And what was Stephan up to this week?

A photo-op hog cart at Wintervale in Fort Wayne; a penny-eating piggy for Baconfest; an elephant for Winter Blast

 Anything else, Stephan?