Party, Peg, Pincusions and Pictures

Everyone loves a party, that was always the philosophy of Grandma Peg, my husbands grandmother. I have shared with you, her story of alzheimer's. Just two months ago, we didn't think she would live the week, which was how hospice prepared us (Hospice workers are amazing btw!). Though here we are two months later and she is better in both spirits and in her health-sort of. She has rebounded amazingly. Which in itself is both a blessing and a curse.

Peg sits in her small nursing home room, with no tv or radio, for she cannot remember how to use them accurately. She cannot read for her eyesight is so poor. She sits, waiting for her time to come. It's such a sad existence, one that makes me more aware of my own mortality and drums up discussions with my husband of my own wishes and vice versa. Yes, it's a deep subject, but it is one that I cannot help but think of. Yesterday I gathered up the portable CD player, some music (Nicklecreek & Sinatra), hats, teacups and saucers, napkins, blueberry scones and freshly prepared hot tea and I set out to the nursing home to surprise Peg with a tea party. Tea was always a daily ritual with her, hot tea in the afternoon.
When I found her she was lying in the bed, in a fetal position though she was awake, "Who's there?" Peg called softy as I opened the door to a darkend room. "It's the party committee!" I announced as I drew open her shades and allowed the sunlight to dance across her bedcovers.
I helped her up and slid her bed tray over to the bed. I put the music on, plopped a big red hat on top of Peg's head and we "had ourselves a party". I was a bit saddened when I brought up a conversation that she and I have shared on many occasions, for to me it always interested me. It was a subject that she and I had in common, we both love Frank Sinatra. She went to see him when she was a much younger woman, before she was a mother, when she was just a newly wedded woman. She used to paint a vivid picture of being there,  how excited she was. Her words painted the image in my head so much so that I could imagine old blue eyes on the darkened stage, a spotlight encircling him like a halo, and smell the stale of cigerette smoke that lay heavy and visible  in the air of the art deco style lounge. Today, Peg had no memory of it. It saddened me, but only for a moment, until I began to tell her the story she told me many times. I tried to paint that picture that she told to me throughout the years. For a moment, a brief smile crept across her lips, but it wasn't that she remembered, I think she could just visualize the seen as I had so many times. Soon enough, I could see she was becoming tired. I gathered up all my party makings and tucked Peg back into bed with Frank's memory -hopefully still fresh in her short memory. "Draw the blinds please, I don't like the sunlight..." And I realized all to clearly in this metaphoric moment, how the sunlight had indeed faded from Peg's life. The party goer, the party starter that she once was, was now just content to just lie in bed in a darkened room, waiting for the real celebration to start, her "homecoming".

And this dear friends is where I was yesterday, last night my daughter had a football game in which she cheered so I am behind in my visits to Thrifty Thursday. I WILL be by soon though, I promise. I so genuinely appreciative of all who participated and visited, those that commented or sent an email. You are so appreciated and loved!
I do want to share something that I found at my doorstep yesterday. A package, inside was a card from my sweet friend, "Mamie" Jane. (The card by the way was created by blogger, Diva Kreszl @ Diva's Musings).I am going to frame the card!

Jane sent me one of her adorable pincusions that she handmade lovingly from thrifty finds!!!!

It's gorgeous! I absolutley LOVE it, Jane!!!I can almost see it smiling at me. OK, that me smiling at it in the reflection, but I think it is just as happy for I am certain it can feel the love. I will treasure it always, Jane and think of you, my sweet friend when I look at it. Sincere Thanks for my Treasure! It is the kindness of people around us that lift us in such ways, they will never know, but will always be remembered. Thankyou!!

This weekend is Halloween! Don't forget to capture your costumed family members in photographs to enter into the Tales from Bloggeritaville Halloween contest! Email in your pictures (remember to give names, your blog address and the title of your photo/aka tell us what the costume is). I'll be posting the pictures early next week! Be sure to drop by and vote for your favorite! You can read more about the contest in yesterday's post-click here.

Tales from Bloggeritaville Halloween Contest 2010-prizes awarded!

Sing*Dance*Live (really LIVE)

HUGS!

Leigh