i took a little two-day trip up to lexington, kentucky with the ‘rents on sunday to visit my sweet grandmother, my bettye mom, for her 75th birthday!
bettye mom visits are just a liiiiittle different these days than what i’m used to because my poor bettye mom has developed alzheimer’s in her recent years. i mean, really, i don’t think anybody saw that one coming! she’s always been such an independent lady with a mind as sharp as a tack. and wham, a ball of craziness. you just never know with life!
now she is in the most precious notebook-esque living facility and has even found herself a fine gentleman that lives there, too. oh my. let me tell you, this woman is a boy magnet no matter what phase of life she’s in. she’s had no shortage of male pursuers in her years… and now, this man, mr. g, he is so crazy about her. and he’s about 13ish years older so he thinks she’s just a youngen! these two smooch and hold hands and it is just about the cutest thing. and she’s even got him giving her regular back rubs! i tell you what. i’ve apparently still got a few things to learn from her.
so, we took them on a little dinner outting to celebrate the big 7-5! we cheersed to our bettye mom and mr. g told some of his old stories [he does not have alzheimer’s, he just can’t see very well.] then he says to her, “how old are you on this birthday?” and she just laughs and says, “well, i honestly don’t remember!” but she doesn’t care, either, because she just giggles and smiles all the time now when she’s around this mr. g. [except, of course, for those golden moments when she’s getting snippy with the facility staff.]
1. my favorite lexington castle, 2. presh front porch at the home, 3. birthday cupcakes for everybody! 4. beautiful birthday flowers, 5. cheers to bettye mom, 6. the lovebirds hand in hand, 7. a quick photo-op before heading back in, 8. family shot!
oh, bettye mom. she doesn’t remember a ton, but it’s wonderful to see her happy. and refreshing to hear her same old giggle. and it’s always interesting to see what she does remember. and as for how well she remembers me… oh, i don’t have a clue what she thinks! i think i seem familiar enough and then she pretty much just rolls with it. but i have this note from her that’s written on her stationery from when i graduated high school in 2005, and on it she wrote “i love you!!” really big in her pretty handwriting, in a fancy gold pen. i keep it in my bedside table and i look at it whenever i miss her! it makes me happy. and sometimes sad. but i know that it’s true.
so, happy 75th to our bettye mom! we sure love her a lot.
This post made me tear up a little. It's so sweet. Alzheimer can be such a difficult disease for family members to cope with but it sounds like you have the right outlook 🙂
ps. that castle is gorgeous!
This post made me tear up as well. I love how you keep the note near you that she wrote you. And, how you choose to focus on the good things. XOXOXO!
aww this is such a sweet post! Your grandma seems so super cute. Love all of the pics too! Thanks for sharing, xox.
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Blessings,
Kat
http://www.maryanddyer.blogspot.com
aww, she sounds cute as a button. sorry to hear she's suffering from alzheimers.
great pics, as always.
Loving every second of this collage! Too cute!! =)
Aw, happy birthday to your sweet Bettye Mom. She sounds precious!
This post was so touching. I think its great that your grandma has someone to share her time at the home with. And she's such a beautiful woman, even at 75 you can see that she was quite the looker in her day (and evidently still is since she's such a man-cathcer lol). Beautiful pictures, too. Just stumbled on your blog for the first time. Its really great 🙂 Consider me your newest follower,
xoxo,
Janell
just found your blog! so precious!
xoxo
b
im a new follower!
This is so sweet, and made me tear up a little. Life is constantly moving and before we know it, so much has changed. I get sentimental a lot! Thanks for the reminder to appreciate every loved one.
xo
Rachel
cherish every moment with this beautiful woman. even when she doesn't remember– your visits will remain precious to you. my last christmas with my grandma was magical– even though she forgot i was there the minute i left. her love and laughter were very real and present in the moment.