Andrea and Anna could hardly wait to see mom .
I’m in my morning routine again. Sitting at the kitchen table with my coffee waiting for the first birds to arrive on the patio. Wondering how mom managed her first night at Delmar Gardens and wondering how long I can sit still before rushing over to see her for myself. This morning the choice is not up to me. The neighborhood is covered with a blanket of snow and I have not seen one car on the road. There is no movement and I feel a little bit like I’m in a halfway house. It’s 3º outside and even though I know mom is just a 10 minute walk from here it seems very far away.
The transition from the hospital to Delmar Gardens went very well yesterday afternoon and mom arrived expressing sweet delight and obvious relief. She said she thought it looked like a palace. It was an instant relief for me to see it looked nothing like my previous impressions of a Nursing Home. Colorful decor with an immediate sense of cleanliness and a caring staff. Within minutes I could see how all of the staff members are watching the surroundings – Keeping an eye out. This is the first time mom has had this kind of constant surveillance. It makes me feel like her needs are being met.
Mom is finally home from the hospital in her new home, Delmar Gradens rehab. It’s hard for me to look at how tired we both look.
The bright side for mom is that her bed faces the door and she has an ongoing view of the activity in the hallway. Someone or some event passes by just about every minute and in most cases they also take a quick look into her room. The door is always open. Last night I asked her if she wanted to watch the K-State basketball game (Her favorite) and she said she wanted to watch the people.
In the short time I was there I also realized that the staff hovering had already started and that mom was once again going to be everyone’s star. Love at first sight! And those who already know her from Garden Villas greeted her with joy.