VISITING MOM - DAY 4

Sitting with Mom at the card table (one win/one loss) I had to marvel at the fact that I was playing cards with a human whose heart has beat in excess of four Billion times so far in her lifetime. If you have never stopped to think about this, you may be impressed by the fact that you heart has performed 38 million, plus or minus, beats a year, one billion for every 26-27 years of age you have lived. What a wonderful, regenerative machine we inhabit!

The care provider, Cynthia, who gives my brother Bud some respite, came in today for several hours. I have not become stressed to any degree, but we wanted to keep her schedule regular. To my brother's credit, he recognized early on the necessity of having respite coverage, even for as low-level care situation that exists with Mom. Eighty percent of those who care for another, be it parent, spouse, or friend, will have a major health issue themselves within 18 months. That is based upon a study that I read several years ago, and I have no reason to believe that has changed. Failure of a care provider to plan for coverage that enables the provider to take a break is very shortsighted. And so is failing to treadle in my opinion! But then again, the Treadwell® System is my contribution to the well-being of the world’s inhabitants!

Physically, Mom is doing well. I nearly caused her to trip by leaving a pair of shoes where they did not belong. Kids never change. Late morning she went upstairs and dressed to go out for lunch, which we did. Most enjoyable, especially after she turned on her hearing aids!

Two sessions of treadling for her today.

For the trivia buffs, Mother's Day was first celebrated in May of 1908, making that tradition (and my mother) 106 yrs old.

Hope yours was a great day. Richard