My mom lives alone at age 86. She‘s beautiful which means a lot to her and proud of herself that she is intact socially and mentally. My dad died eight years ago and I still have chats with him. Mom’s favorite words are,” My kids are everything to me.” She has three children who all have children. I am the middle child. It takes me about an hour to get to her depending on Los Angeles traffic.

Mom never drinks or smokes. She plays bridge and has a steady hair and nail appointment every Saturday. Thank goodness she gave up the girdle since she is the thinnest she has ever been. She wouldn’t be able to fasten it and her vanity would prevent her from asking someone to help with her under garment.

Exercise never existed for her. She wishes she had at least taken a walk around the block, but figured being a high school teacher was a walk around the block.

Like all moms, she lives for those special occasions. We booked her tickets to travel from the west to the east for my daughter’s college graduation in May and my nephew’s graduation.

We chit chat on the phone. I send her cards for no other reason than to make her laugh, tell her I love her, and have a little cheer to look forward to in the mailbox. She doesn’t eat like she use to, but loves when I take her to lunch. I know it is scary for her to be alone when she is sick after blood transfusions or if the treatment isn’t helping her bounce back.

Thank goodness we hired a college student to be her helper. Mom adores her.

I am not an alarmist but I am pro-active. I don’t speculate problems. I just get into high gear when a need arises. I do cry easily but there will not be enough tears or words I could express if my mom suffers and I can’t ease her pain.

Posted by Natalie Caine at 01:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was so nervous I went to the wrong location. I had to talk to myself so I wouldn’t cancel. I got to the shop and a glowing, dear woman said, “I am so happy to finally meet you.”

“Well, I said, you know I am a face virgin so be gentle.” My daughter and friends have been in the goop and under the lights, but not me. Now I can say, “I had my first facial and it was fantastic. My fear was bigger than the reality. I will be going back in a couple of months. I still can’t call it pampering but I can say I am so glad I am taking care of myself and not a face virgin anymore. I loved it when she said, “You have beautiful skin. We just want to get the glow and clean up your nose.”

What fears did you experience that were bigger than the reality?

Natalie

Posted by Natalie Caine at 03:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)