Mom smiled today... probably for the first time in a month. After two weeks in the hospital, followed by two weeks of physical rehab, I finally got to take her home to her memory care center. It was a strategic choice on my part. I wanted to get her home just before lunch, so I could get her reacquainted with her room. Afterall, it had been almost a month since she was there.
Mom being Mom, she immediately wanted to go for a walk. We headed for the dining room where one of her meal friends were already seated. In case I haven't shared this yet, the dining room has tables of four, and everyone gets their same seat at every meal. A few minutes later, her other two meal mates were there and lunch was almost ready. They had missed her for a month, and she seemingly missed them. Her smile beamed from ear to ear. She was home, and I fought back the tears.
Of course she needed that time away to rehab and get her strength back. But that was mostly physical therapists (PT) and that strange man who kept calling her Mom. Deep down, I knew when she was safe to return, the best thing for her recovery would be familiar surroundings with familiar people.
Mom smiled today. I feel like she's on the right track. Secondarily, it gives me positive reinforcement that I'm doing the right thing for her. Ultimately, it's my last reason to be here.
