Things Are Looking Up

My 12 year-old sister told me this today (verbatim):

When I was at Grandma's today she told me at least five times how beautiful I am...things are looking up.

Interpersonal Relationships

Nani (my dog, an 80 lb golden lab) walks by

G-ma: Hi Nani!

Nani leaves. Immediately, Boo (an orange cat) rubs up against G-ma's ankles

G-pa: Hey kitty, kitty!
G-ma: Pff, that's not a kitty-kitty!
G-pa: It's not?...
G-ma: It's Nani!

Nani returns, having heard her name.

G-ma: Hey Nani. (shoots look to my sister in sudden realization of complete and utter fail)

Father's Day

Card from my Grandma (Cleo) to my Grandpa (Clair).

Leonard,

You are a wonderful Father
Love, Mom or Cleo




In all fairness, she does call him Daddy and he calls her mom, because when you raise kids, you want consistency with the nicknames I guess. I guess addressing him as "Leonard" means that his hearing has been gone so long that the "Yoohoo, Leonard!" phrase she adopted from some 40's film has just become yet another pet name. My grandma, so romantic.

Shopping

Mom: Let's go shopping for Father's Day.

G-ma: Okay. CLAIR! (G-pa)

Mom: He's not coming. We're getting him a gift for Father's Day.

G-ma: Oh, okay.

2 minutes

G-ma: Where's Clair?

Mom: He's not coming. We're buying him a gift.

G-ma: Oh. Wait, why? Is it his birthday?

It's too bad it's not Mother's Day. Grandpa could stay home, we could take you and you could pick out your own gift. Guarantee you'll like it.

Tuesday June 15, 2010

G-ma: Do you know what this is?

Mom: That's your bag, Mom.

G-ma: Do you know where it came from?

Mom:...I'm not sure what you mean.

G-ma: These two man came and gave it to me. I haven't had this in 100 years and these to men I don't know just handed it to me.

Mom:...Okay.



If she ever tried to fly, I believe she would be the one person to respond "No" to: Did you pack your own bags today?

Monday, June 14, 2010

My grandma has dementia/Alzheimer's. The doctors don't seem to see it, but she is crazy and hilarious. She makes me laugh every time I see her despite the fact her brain is gone. In Alzheimer's you can find pain, but I choose instead to find joy. This is for you, grandma.

G-pa: Where's your cane?

G-ma: I don't use a cane anymore.

G-pa: Oh, really? Okay, let's go then.

G-ma: Okay.....Where's my cane?



For a second there, I thought my grandma aged in reverse; starting with a cane and now walking [semi] upright. According to my calculations she would've started crawling soon.