I saw her as she started to get out of the car today at the end of my sidewalk. In her little red hooded coat. Mom was more hesitant than usual today, but I got her to come with me — out of the car, up the walk and into the house. She even giggled a few times as I did my best Three Stooges silliness to make her laugh.
Today was my Wednesday with Mom day, when my stepdad drops her off to spend time with me while he goes to his doctor appointment.
As I took her little red jacket off once we were in the house, I felt the circle of life rounding up to a near completion. As if I was my mother taking a coat off of me when I was little. But instead, it was me taking her coat off as she looked at me quizzically, wondering what I was doing as I gently removed her coat. I ushered her to a seat at my kitchen table with magazines for her to shuffle like she seems to enjoy. I even made her a sandwich and thought about how she used to make me a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich each day after school with a glass of milk in a jelly jar glass.
Her Alzheimer’s continues to progress and she hardly speaks. But she is happy and I can still make her smile. For that I am grateful. I dread the day when I can no longer make her smile, but I try not to focus on that.
The little red coat she wears was given to me on Christmas when I was almost 16, by my Dad and stepmom. I always loved that Woolrich coat and it matched my first car — it was a clue that Christmas that I had a red present that might be in the driveway. (It’s actually the same coat that I was wearing in the photo from my post ” letter to my 14-year-old self .” And I’m pretty sure that picture was taken that same night as my sister and I celebrated Christmas with my Dad and stepmom.)
Mom always liked this coat too, and as I grew out of it, her petite frame was still able to wear it, so she adopted it. And because she has always taken perfect care of everything, today it still looks just as new as it did years ago. It has a plaid lining and hood, and sometimes my Mom wears the little hood when we go out. Like my own little red riding hood.
Today I am grateful that I am able to spend time with my Mom in her little red coat on Wednesdays. The days are a bit long, sometimes zapping my energy from the emotions of it all, but I am glad I can spend time with her.
What are you grateful for today?
life on wry 
What a lovely post. I’m so happy you have been able to have this special time with your mother, despite the challenges. You will cherish these just as you cherish memories from your childhood. Thanks for reminding us to enjoy each moment. My mom’s 75th birthday was Sunday and I was feeling guilty for not throwing a big bash, though she was here in Tulsa and spent the day with us at church and then after with the kids. She seemed to enjoy herself. I will focus on that and not my shortcomings.Hugs!
🙂
I am grateful for reading this post:)
From your opening sentence I was drawn in until the end. What a beautiful story.
How sweet that she’s wearing your coat.
This is one of the most beautiful things you’ve written!
Aw shucks….
What a wonderful post. I have my Mother’s London Fog trenchcoat.She wore it when we went to ye auld Britannia together. I wear it and remember that chilly May eons ago traipsing through castles together.
I love that you are as sentimental as I am, dear Hydro.
I’m grateful that I read this post. Because I had an exhausting day, but my exhaustion is only physical. Emotional exhaustion is far more difficult to recover from. The post also reminded me to be extra nice to my own mother (I’m pretty nice to her now, but I’ll be extra nice to her tomorrow—I promise!) Enjoy whatever you can with your Mom!
Half the battle in life is realizing how good we have it.
How beautifully you weaved the story of the red coat with your Mom’s illness. Start to finish-awesome.
thanks so much for reading…
A beautiful post. Your mom is so lucky to have you.
Couldn’t agree more.
Ditto all the above comments. I’m thankful to be able to read your posts every day! You’re a super writer.