Mom was so funny today!
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (64169)
United States
September 30, 2009 4:42pm CST
Today is Wednesday, that means I normally go to my mom's to take her to Great Courses. I get there and discover that she's out with my brother going to the dentist. Wish someone had TOLD me, but I would've still gone over since I enjoy the program.
Now, mom lives in the Health Care Center, which is basically a nursing home, attached to the Manor. She can no longer walk and is often mentally compromised.
I asked if she saw my brother, she shook her head. I asked if she went to the dentist, she said "no." Just so you KNOW how functional she often is. In fact, she generally sleeps thru most of Great Courses, but enjoys getting out.
Finally, I told her I had to go back to work, and I would see her tomorrow.
She looked right at me and said: "How am I supposed to get home? Take the bus?" Perfectly clearly, perfectly said, not slurring at all of her words.
It was about all I could do to either pick myself off the floor or laugh out loud!
I said: "This nice young man will get you home." I told her with a nod to the aide who was helping feed her.
She looked at him a bit dubiously.
"I'll get you home," he told her.
Mind you, home was maybe 50 feet away, but she couldn't remember that.
I thought it was so funny I had to call my sister and tell her!
So, what amusing thing has anyone said to you today?
9 people like this
12 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Bless her heart, better for u to get to laugh than cry & i know u must feel like crying quite often. It is odd how they can be so rational for just a few minutes. U are such a good daughter to visit her like u do. U will have stars in your crown, Elic. Haven't had anything amusing said to me today. been in all day .Have a good one.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I know what u are saying. My aunt was like that for years & it so sad to see them that way, breaks your heart. I am glad you have siblings to help u out. I just can't understand why people have to get in such pitaful shape. Have a good day, Elic.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
15 Dec 09
Thank u for the best response. Hope your monday went well & hope your ro0omie is doing well.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
30 Sep 09
I expect that I am in a minority but I do not find this funny. For me, sad would be a better word. How hard it must be for your mother when she is lucid to know that she has to depend on people everyday as she cannot help herself. 
There, but for the grace of God, go all of us.
We too may be in that position in years to come.
Many blessings!
There, but for the grace of God, go all of us.
We too may be in that position in years to come.
Many blessings!3 people like this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
well, I'm planning to die in a single massive stroke like my grandmother - you know about plans - right? The fact is that mom has stroke related dementia, most of the time she just sits and smiles, so to get such a clear retort just blew me away!
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
1 Oct 09
I am so sorry - you seem to have mistaken what I was trying to say and obviously I did not explain myself clearly.
I live in the third World now but have lived in the U.K. where I was born and lived the for the fist 22 years of my life.
I have seen in both countries that people with Alzheimer's or people with disabilities that have to live in a home being abused in the most dreadful way. And from what I have seen on TV this als happens in the USA.
I am so sad for these people as they are open to abuse and it makes me so unhappy as they are dependent on the carer's that employed. and many of them are just downright mean. I pray to God that I do not end up like this or anyone else for that matter. I hope that this makes it clear to you. I was not being unkind. Blessings
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8140)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Your Mom seems to be having some memory problems and also she is a lot like my Mom was..My Mom wanted me right there all the time, and she wanted me to do things just because she wanted me too....It is funny how they get at this older age...
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
before I started back to work and mom was in the health care center, I was going over to the manor to help her take a shower, fix her breakfast and lunch and generally keep her company - I got a lot of beading done...
after I started working she once told me that I was spending too much time with my client (who is also a long time friend of mine), I told her that I was only there for the hours they paid me to be there.
I think she understands since I stay "I have to go to work" that I do have to leave, I think she might have a problem if I mentioned my client's name - just one of those little things
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
1 Oct 09
[b]I really think she must not recall who I am. I know she hasn't a single spiteful, mean bone in her body, so when you say "my client," my guess is she's not sure why it's important for you to leave. Maybe she's feeling a bit lonely. Poor "McMom." How I miss her younger, vibrant self. It has to be very difficult for you, dealing with her slow deterioration. I admire you so much, "Elic," for your stalwart patience with her. With me, too, for that matter. You surely have your hands full! 
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]
Maggiepie
"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?"[/b]1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
1 Oct 09
You're picking me up at 5:30AM tomorrow. NOT! I am trying to find this amusing, trust me.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I guess you have to know my mom - this is not something she'd EVER have said before.
They say dementia bring out your true personality, well, all the staff love mom because she's still sweet and pleasant...
at least my sister recognized it was funny - mom is now showing her true side, and its still wonderful!
3 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I'm glad you're Mom is sweet and that you both love her as well as the staff. Some people are precious and some situations, you just have to be there!
Guess it was because my brother had just called and told me he needed me to get him somewhere by 5:30Am and that would have meant me getting out of bed by 4:30AM with my stuffed up head, so I guess too close to home, I told him to go take a taxi. He did. Thankfully, cost him $20, but he did it.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
30 Sep 09
hi ElicBxn well I guess if I was a bit younger I would'have found that amusing too,but right now I am sitting here,mylotting
at age 82,and thanking God in heaven that I can walk, and talk,'and am not mentally compromised, and sorry I cannot find
it as amusing as it probably really is. I mean I just dont want to end up like your mom and not know people or things, I am so glad I have not got Alzenheimers,nor am senile but so many here in this senior center are, and somehow it doesn't seem too funny to me. but then too I dont really know your mom, and I can well imagine it was very funny. I think I need someone to make me laugh, thats all that is wrong with me today. sorry to be on a sour note here.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
mom is only 83 and I WISH she were as lucid and able as you are. The fact is that she's really gone down hill and getting her to say hi to my sister on the phone is often a chore, so getting such a clear statement out of her was a thrill (picking me up off the floor) and yet not knowing where she was - at least she wasn't trying to tell me was was in Jail in San Marcos again....
I sometimes wish mom had gone like her mother, in a single, massive stroke, rather than suffering from the effects of all these small ones.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
1 Oct 09
hi Again some of the people here have had strokes but still'
maintained a lot of their memory which really helps.the thing I hate here it that so many stick their moms in here and that is that. they arent like you and your family that care so much and are always there for your mom. my son comes to see me every Wed and we have a grand visit.I am only here because we were evicted from our apartment after my son lost his job and the two of us were homeless. my son because of my age and my bad leg and the diabetes did not want me to be having to scrounge all day looking for lodgings for homeless so he hAd me move in here and the gov.has paid for him to stay in an apartment with three other young men all of whom are looking for work. as soon as he gets a job and accumulates money he willmove me back in with him. but it will take time. God bless you an d your Mom
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
2 Oct 09
Oh! I hope its soon! I did wonder why you were in there since you OBVIOUSLY are of sound mind and reasonably sound body
Yeah, this is a pretty good place, but there are some who are "warehoused" even there.
One lady who I grew up down the street from is there, she has an aide that she (or her kids) hired before she even moved into the Manor, and the lady is still with her - she thinks it amusing that I can talk about what the lady did when I was a child. This lady, by the way, is the VERY first adult I ever called by their first name because that's the way she wanted it.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
1 Oct 09
Hi Elic,
That is really amazing when they come out and say something very clearly, bless her, well something funny did happen this evening, I was on the phone to my friend talking about her dog, doing funny things and I was telling her about my cat, making a meowing noise when all of a sudden her dog started barking, after she stopped, I did the meowing again, again he started to bark the he went round the room looking for the cat, by then I was having a laughing fit as my friend was telling what he was doing, it made my day.
Tamara
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
I've meowed and had the cats looking for the strange cat in the past, but now they just look at me in disgust... I also once fooled a horse by neighing - I'm probably not as good as Ayla from the Clan of the Cave Bear books, but I'm pretty good at some animals...
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
2 Oct 09
Well, sorry to hear about all of your Mom's recent problems, but it does sound like you are a Big help to her for sure. But just the thought of her asking that one not realizing she is in a home, is sort of amusing for sure. I can't think of anything amusing anyone really has said to me lately, and since I have not been feeling the Best most of today has either been spent sleeping or posting her in myLot instead.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Am sorry I cant see funny in it must of been the way she said it.
My mom also is in a place like this and she has short term memory loss also.
SHe sleeps all the time dont eat much.
I get to talk to her when my brother goes by and calls me.
and I ask the questions what ya eat , when ya eat, she dont remeber and I know one time the food was right in front of her. She like them to take her to bingo right there in the home.
I ask if she won she says no or must of got candy bars.
She wont talk long before she hands the phone back to my brother. The thing is with me I dont know if she knows who she is talking too or if she remebers that we have talked.
ever great once in awhile she might ask how my daughter and grand dauhter are doing by name.
So then I know she knows who she is talking too.
Breaks my heart sometimes .
I do know that in June when I got to go up to see her.
SHe slept the first day but was awake and talked good the next day.
Take care and just love her.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
mom doesn't like the musical programs, she used to like going to exercise, but not any more - she doesn't normally seem to like bingo, but when she goes seems to enjoy it That's why I like to go over and take her to programs in the main part of the Manor - so she might see people that she doesn't see in the health care center
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Oh life's little disconnects are always worth a giggle. Especially when they happen to pets.
*
We had a kitty that didn't realize that the cat in the mirror was a reflection and she would bat at it in fury. Then, it would disappear when she left the room and she would tear through the house searching for mirror kitty. Of course, mirror kitty would reappear right back where it had been as soon as Patches re-entered her territory...
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 Oct 09
Your mum sounds like a sweetie. Even when she is not well she still sounds sweet which is nice. There are some people with the same condition who turn into nasty old grumps.
It must have been a real surprise to hear her speak so clearly, like her old self... Best of luck to both of you...
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
1 Oct 09
it was a surprise - and I know what you mean about turning mean, when she was there in the summer of 06, the lady she was with was surly and nearly nasty - the family finally had to get her a room alone
then the roommate she had until early summer had lost so much ground that while she's not nasty all the time, she wouldn't want to get dressed unless her daughter was telling her she had to. she was combative to the aides, and it upset my mom when she did it - so her daughter had to get her a room of her own and a sitter
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
7 Oct 09
I am sure one of my students must have said some silly thing or other but I was too preoccupied with them getting their projects completed as it was the last day of class for this group.
What is Great Courses?
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
1 Oct 09
hello Elicbxn,
Probably she did that on purpose to make you laugh. well, it's hard to believe actually that she could make a joke like that. it's probably in the age. well, it's one of those moments.have a great day
