Making spirits bright

Mom was not wearing her ever-present headscarf today - not the Islamic kind, but a scarf she has worn for most of her adult life to conceal the serious balding she had (which was due to having pulled her hair back tight for the first part of her life, causing it to get very thin, and which was then aggravated by the perpetual scarf). The scarf covered the front and top of her head, now completely hairless, and seeing her without it is always surprising.

I thought maybe an aide had forgotten to put it on her this morning, so I went to her room and picked out a scarf from the basket in her closet that would match her outfit (pink today). Then the Activities Lady told me mom is pulling the scarf off, and keeping it in her lap. Sure enough, she had a scarf on her lap.

She seemed fragile and resistant, somewhat down, and it took much encouragement and steering to get her from her lunch table to the sitting circle. She sank into her chair, and I took a seat too. The Activities Lady had to go get her flu shot, so I said I'd take over until she returned.

I told the ladies that I had stolen the wool shirt I was wearing from my husband's closet. I elaborated on the story, and got mom laughing, which made her look stronger. Then I said that Jeffrey had planned to golf yesterday, but it was too cold. So not only did he not get to play golf, but I was stealing his clothes away too. Mom was delighted, and said, "That poor man." We all enjoyed feeling sorry for Jeffrey (and admiring my wool shirt), and by the time the Activities Lady came back, everybody was in good spirits.

Then the dogs came in! Two little Corgies on leashes with the Dog Lady who would have them do tricks and just be adorable. I took that opportunity to leave, but it is probably the first time I came away from the Chute in higher spirits than when I came in. All is well.