End of a full week: Sunday April 21 2013

It has been a jam packed week. I started the week off at my mothers last Monday morning and it has been non stop since then. She was looking very good and seemed to be in good spirits. My sister flew in from B.C. and arrived at Moms around midnight that night; for a few nights. Tuesday we started with the clean out. We packed up about a dozen bags of clothes and other things that Mom had in her place and needed to weed out as she began to downsize in preparation to go to long term care. She loved the whole process and had a great time watching us sort through all of her clothes and costume jewelry. My 21 year old daughter came over and we had lots of laughs. I took the bags home and all of the girls went through everything and I packed the remaining 7 or so bags up and took them to a shelter for donation on Wednesday. After that, I met up with my brother and sister to tour one of the long term care places. It was not what we were looking for but gave us some idea of what we were looking at and for. That night I had my 15 year sobriety medallion. I had not expected my Mom to attend but, she surprised me and was there when I arrived. I know how much it took for her to do that so I was very appreciative and felt her support and love. It was quite amazing to have all of my children even my daughter who had surgery that morning, my son in law, 2 of my grandchildren, my brother and sister and my mother there in the front rows. I was overwhelmed with the support of the people who attended and had not expected the amount of people that showed up. It was intimidating when I got up to the front at the end and saw the amount of people that were there. I am not comfortable being in the limelight at all, this was no exception but I  absolutely felt the love and care from others that night however, I am happy to have it done.
I dropped by Moms on the way home and the next morning on Thursday, my sister left to see her son and grandchild in Kingston and my brother and I toured a few homes. It was a tiring day and I was glad to be done with it. I suppose it was more tiring because I was still being "Mom" at home and keeping up most of my usual duties in addition, and it was emotionally draining as well. Friday came and that was my Moms 77th birthday. I made a cake for Mom and I had to work the car dealership that night so went over around 9. She was exhausted from her busy week and an outing that night to the food court and pub night downstairs. She looked really off to me when I saw her that night. We talked about her living situation and made some decisions and off I went. Saturday morning we took her to view one last place to utilize in the interim of waiting and I got called into work a 3-11:30 shift. At this shift I met up with two staff that became instant friends and I connected with one on a soul level that I know will be a unique relationship. Worked another one today and I'm getting ready to head back to her place for the night.
Everything is as it should be and I am grateful to be where I am right now.

Mom: April 20, 2013. notice the pink crocs which are the only shoes that I could get on her swollen feet