Chapter 610 - Lest We Forget

 Neither of us remembered a Saturday of 58 years ago on the 9th. The day came and faded away like any other, only one remembering, and sending a card that seems to be lost in the guts of the postal system. I blamed myself for not handing her the calendar blocks that morning, forgotten most mornings, a device I thought may help each of us note the beginning of each day, perhaps helping us to register the passing of each day. So on the spur of the moment I just took her the blocks, telling her today was the 14th, and she moved the two blocks accordingly. 

I have been trying to enjoy an activity with her each day, perhaps Scrabble, or Bingo, or Crosswords, or to cut some Roses to bring inside, just something, anything, for us to do together even though the effort comes to very little, yet that little still counts. She gets most pleasure from sorting objects, often in drawers and cupboards which she opens to simply see what may be inside (even though she may have been in there a month or so ago) and once inside objects must be removed then returned, perhaps placing items in different plastic or cardboard boxes. Each week after Coles has made the weekly delivery of food stuffs she folds up each plastic bag, perhaps six or so, into tight rectangles, holding them in place with elastic bands, then placing them in a cupboard to give to one of the Carers to arrive for her shower or bed time, and the Carer takes the folded bags to another client whose daughter is incontinent and needs bags in which to place pads and such. She gains a sense of achievement for being helpful in this way. 

As I left for the Chemist this morning she had decided to fold a cardigan to put away in drawer. Even she has been feeling the cold at times during this phase of unseasonal weather we are suffering. On my return she had moved to another drawer holding her stock of nighties. After I wash such clothing I roll each item and stuff them into this drawer which is a little small to hold the quantity. She has been attempting to fold each nighty in a rectangular shape to better fit the drawer I suppose. 

Then shortly before lunch time I suggested I buy her for lunch a Big Brekkie from the local take-away coffee place, two poached eggs, bacon, a sausage, grilled tomato, fried mushrooms, hash browns and toast. Although there were pieces left over of bacon, some toast, the skin of the tomato and the mushrooms (which she did not fancy at all) about 75% of the meal was eaten. The two poached eggs were the first items to disappear. For reasons the rest of society find strange I do not cook or eat eggs in any form what ever (I overlook the fact that eggs seem to be a component in most cakes). While she enjoyed her meal I had nachos. We decided to leave the two vanilla slices I bought as something for our evening meal.

Her nighty folding was interrupted by lunch and she has continued with the chore. I spend only a few minutes each week rolling the nighties and putting them away. Now some hours later she is still at it. Unfortunately such activities initiate dyskinesia in her legs. I may have mentioned in past posts that rubbing her legs, usually the calf, may often stop bouts of dyskinesia, also, in bed, placing a soft pillow between her lower legs and leaving her feet uncovered to remove any tension from sheet and quilt. A few nights ago I discovered rubbing the soles of her feet almost instantly stopped the dyskinesia, well most times anyway.

After the CBT Depression and Anxiety course enlightened and relieved me of my unrecognised symptoms I have deteriorated once again as I finish the 4th lesson. However, I have completed another portrait stitch out, am writing this blog, complete a Lumosity exercise most days, often tread mill and watch a lecture at the same time, began searching for some facts about my great great grandfather and walk around our village most days. And these activities I try to accomplish Mindfully.