 |
| Beignets and Cafe Aulait - Again! This time in Baton Rouge. |
DH and I just returned from another trip to Louisiana. This time to Ethel, La... a little town outside of Baton Rouge. DH's mom had her 95th birthday this past week. She is doing well, still lives in her house, and gets around fairly well with her walker (when she remembers to use it). Her mind is sharp, but her body is failing... which I guess at 95 is expected. But as she says, "it's frustrating" because the things she likes to do (gardening, cooking, walking, taking care of her cats and the outside birds) has become increasingly difficult. She can no longer drive and dislikes being dependent on others. And she's "tired".
What can you say? I know all this is true and I feel helpless. She has wonderful family nearby that keep close tabs on her and try to involve her in activities, but as she says, she doesn't enjoy needing all this help. She does feel grateful that she has lived this long, but she misses her friends who have all passed on. I can relate (on the friends' issue). I have lost my mom, dad, and both siblings over the years. And this past summer I lost a very dear friend. She was 86 and had lived a long happy (for the most part) life. But I still miss her.
BTW, the photo at the top is beignets and cafe aulait at a place in Baton Rouge. The cafe aulait was good, but the smaller beignets just didn't do the ones in New Orleans justice. We're LSU graduates (class of '68 ) and try to visit our old haunts whenever we're in town. (Usually eat at Mike Anderson's, but this time tried Pairran's- cajun for godfather. Had poboys and gumbo!) LSU's campus is covered with huge old oak trees. Most of the limbs touch the ground these days (whether this is from age or hurricanes I'm not sure). But I have to say that even all these years later, the campus is still beautiful.
We stayed at DH's brother's house outside of Houston on our way home so we could watch the LSU-Idaho game (score was 62-14) Saturday night. Wasn't much of a game...
 |
| DH's brother's cat |
What a great age your MIL is ....it sounds as though she still has a few more in her but I recognise the tone ...my late mum felt like that but she had failing health. For nearly 3 years I just said I needed her to be around ...sadly she only reached 83. How about getting her to jot down memories of her youth to give a purpose ...it helped my mum ...stories not to be lost ...they were so interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome cat your BIL has.
What a great idea... jotting down her memories. She DOES remember almost everything from her youth; names, places, etc. It amazes us. She doesn't like to write, but maybe she would do this.
DeleteAnd yes, the new cat is adorable. Would you believe that someone actually moved away and left her? And she is a sweetheart too.
God love her, 95. I really don't know which I dread more--physical decline or mental.
ReplyDeleteThey are both scary. But since my mom and 2 aunts had Alzheimer's, I probably fear the mental decline more.
Delete95 and still in her own home. How lucky she is. But of course, I can understand her frustrations, at this point. Just... Hers sounds like a wonderful story. Hugs to her!
ReplyDeleteNow a Disclaimer... Blogger switched me over to the NEW WAY, and I can't switch back, this time.
My blogging fun is on hold, until I learn this &^*^%$&&%% NEW Blogger! Grrrrr.....
"Auntie"
She does have a wonderful story... could write a book, (but couldn't we all)? She had a hard life, raised 4 boys on her own, who are all college graduates with families of their own now.
DeleteI hope to grow older gracefully...so far it isn't so bad but If the good Lord lets me live to be 95 I am not sure I will be able to move any part of my body. I think the hardest part of ageing is the loss of loved one's.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Dee. Losing family and friends puts a hole in your life that's difficult to fill. But reaching out and sharing your love helps. Don't you think?
Delete