Today I Fulfilled the Companion Role

I visited mom around 9:30 this morning but she was sound asleep in her chair. Woke up enough to greet me but really didn't want to wake up. I spoke with her nurse for about 15 minutes about the fact that mom isn't getting the restorative therapy she needs. She suggested I write a letter to the head of administration so I did just that. We'll see what happens next.

I returned at dinner time. Mom seemed to know that I was someone special in her life by the greeting she gave me. She often took my hand and gave it a kiss. I fed her dinner and tried to understand what she was occasionally saying, but to no avail. After dinner I gave her teeth a quick brushing before the official brushing, just to be sure the big amounts of food were gone. She resisted at first and then let me do what I wanted with her teeth. Mom said, "You are so good to me. Thank you." I said my usual, that she deserves good attention and that she gave me good care while I was growing up so I was just returning the favor. A few minutes later I stepped a few feet away to do something and I heard her calling in an extemely loud voice, "mother." I said, "Your mother isn't here, but I am. I'm your daughter and I'm here to be with you." I received the biggest smile I've seen in a long time. She said, "So, you are here to check on me." I reassured her that I was there to be sure she was o.k. She was tired and was eager to get to bed. The cna arrived and took over. I kissed her good bye, told her I loved her and left with a light footstep. She was about to be in her cozy bed and I had made sure she ate a good dinner. At this point, it did seem enough. At least for tonight.