Sunday morning didn’t dawn it began before the sun was up with a “tap, tap, tapping” on my bedroom door. For you Edgar Allen Poe fans, this was not
the Raven rap-rap-rapping, it was my mom in her psychedelic bathrobe just there to inform me:
“She is not feeling well today. She doesn’t feel like getting up.”
My first thought was for our ancient of days everlasting never-ending bladder-leaky female cat SHEba who has taken up residence with Mom and Dad.
“Do you mean the cat? Is something wrong with Sheba?” I asked half hoping half dreading her ancient demise.
“No, no not the cat. He’s fine…but she had a bad night. She doesn’t want to get up.”
My thoughts turned to Dad who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He had been feeling a bit dizzy last night.
“Do you mean, Dad is not feeling well?” I mumbled trying to pull myself awake enough to understand.
“No, no *she*…” My mom spoke as if it were top-secret or perhaps afraid that *she* would overhear us talking.
“Who do you mean then?” I asked for clarification.
“You know,” Mom whispered, “My mother, she is having a spell, she isn’t getting up. But its ok, I will drive us to church…if I can just find the keys….”
At the words “drive” I jolted out of bed now fully awake as if I had just downed my first 3 cups of morning java. The mental picture of Mom driving anywhere brings up images of Mr Toad’s Wild Ride – that crazy harrowing journey put on by Disney.
I hurried downstairs to check on Dad. It turned out that he was not feeling well and had informed Mom he was not getting up.
“I feel too dizzy to drive to church,” he said.
“Well, don’t you worry,” Mom said. “I can drive me and Mom to church…”
“EVIE STOP IT! JUST SHUT UP!” (Yes, you read that right!) Obviously, Dad had been putting up with this strange conversation for some time. He immediately regretted his choice of words as if he had just cussed for the first time. “God forgive me, I never say that…”
I gently led Mom away and urged Dad to get some more rest, but silently applauded his effort to keep Mom in the present. Why was she acting this way? I think I may have figured out the reason.
My mom is used to having Dad care (read do everything) for her, and when he was unable to get up as usual, she became disturbed. She would have to be the caregiver and her mind went back in time to when she was young and actually did care for her invalid mother.
Sunday morning, she stayed in that mode for about 3 hours coming upstairs via the hum of her little chair lift every ten minutes or so to give me a status report on *she*. I thanked her and pretended that I was concerned that *she* be allowed to rest as much as possible. I was able to convince Mom not to drive anywhere (yeah, right!), but stay and keep me informed.
A few hours later, when Dad was feeling well enough to get up, Mom snapped out of it. *She* then poofed and was as the poet said, nevermore.
Ordeal over. Crisis solved. Until next time…keys will remain safely hidden.
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
browjan
Browjan's Blog: The Long Good-Bye 
oh jan, this was Quite a Scare…my heart jumped when i read the DRIVE part. bless you for being there, and caring for your mom. you inspire us all, with your caring, loving and sensible response to the issues you are dealing with right now. love you and pray for you! ❤
By: gracie on April 12, 2011
at 12:44 pm
Gracie, your heart felt as mine did, but I don’t think she would actually figure out how to unlock the doors well enough back out the driveway. But one never knows!
By: browjan on April 12, 2011
at 8:35 pm
Jan, your writing today brought tears to my eyes. You write so beautifully, yet I know that this is real life for you, your dad, your mom and your entire family. I pray for your continued patience and am blessed to see into a small window of your life. Your love is an inspiration because I know where it comes from, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
By: Shila Spice on April 12, 2011
at 8:14 pm
Thanks very much for the prayers Shila! We know that is what gives us strength and dare I say the “P” word…patience! =)
By: browjan on April 12, 2011
at 8:32 pm