It is the first Wednesday of the Month which means another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group hosted by Alex, The Ninja, Cavanaugh and his merry co-horts. If you wish to unleash your angst, to the world , well, at least fellow bloggers, this the place to find encouragement when you feel frustrated, down, or lacking in self-esteem. I consider myself ...gosh, I don't know, someone who has joined(Alex said I could many moons ago) even though I am not a writer and have no novels to show except my little ole blog-consider it fun.
My mom is a grandma...never call her that, she is an Oma. She is my mom and resides in long term care because she has dementia. Now, she knows who I am and my brother, and can engage in conversation even though it is always on rewind. Until 3 months ago, she rarely left her room and was always in bed. She had no desire to sit in the lounge, which she referred to as the "death lounge" nor participate in any activities...until Gladys showed up.
This poor lass, named Gladys, is probably only in her 60's but has dementia as well and when she first came to Heidehof, the employees had to watch her because she was tying to escape. Soon enough, I noticed my mom becoming more tense in wanting to know why she, herself, was there, what happened to her home (she had not lived in her home since 1991 and lived with me for the past 12 yrs until Nov 2011) and was arguing that she could care of herself. This reminded me of where she was back in 2012 but I noticed she was now often sitting with Gladys! Aha!!
These 2 old gals are like the grumpy men from the Muppets now. My mom is rarely in her room and is always sitting in the lounge with Gladys where they make fun of every person there whether they be a fellow patient, nurse, PSW or a visitor. No one escapes their wrath. They talk and snicker like school girls and if they can't sit together my mom puts up a fuss! I am glad my mom is now out walking and joining in because she didn't do that before, but they have been known to tell others to "shut-up" when some start yelling. They argue with the nurses and my wonderful mom won't take no for an answer...that is my mom. The PSW's call her...spunky.
I feel my next stop is at a biker shop to purchase a leather jacket and find some rub-off tattoos for both of them. Hell, my mom did own a motorcycle back in the early 1950's when she lived in Dusseldorf. I hope you have the time to watch this Monty Python skit which I love...
The Granny from Hell. Moi? Too funny. Glad to hear your Oma is up and about. And there are lots of folks who need to be told to "shut up". Some of them are running for President in America.
ReplyDeleteHahahhaaa-so true and we have an election in the next 2 weeks and they also need to shut up.
DeleteSometimes a shut up is needed to be said haha the right person comes along and fun can sure be had.
ReplyDeleteLittle kids and old people can get away with murder:)
DeleteOn the one hand getting old is terrifying. On the other hand, if you can get away with whatever you want and still raise some hell despite your disabilities, might as well make the most of it. :-)
ReplyDeleteIWSG October
How true! I just want to know that I am doing it:)
DeleteI think it's nice that your mom has gotten a little more spirit in her.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is a true spitfire
DeleteThat was a cute skit :) Its good that your mom has some spunk in her "older" days. It is also good she is getting out interacting with others, maybe in time Gladys and her will temper down some of their words and perhaps be a bit kinder about their fellow residents :)
ReplyDeletebetty
One can dream but I doubt it. My mom can say a sentence and then say the same thing because she just forgot what she said. She has no clue that she is being a Hell's Granny or, in my case-a Hell's Mommy:)
DeleteThat's hilarious! Just like Statler and Waldorf. hey, whatever gets her up and out of her room.
ReplyDeleteYes you are so right! She is not in bed all day like she used to be
DeleteOh you do make me laugh Birgit....my mum was hells granny in a mobility scooter...I used to get phone calls from all over the city telling me my mum had just shot off down the road......bless...wish she was still with us .xxxx
ReplyDeleteThat is funny! Bless her! My mom now uses a walker and she is a little speedy Gonzales!
DeleteI'm glad your mom has found a friend with whom to get downright spunky. I prefer spunky to simply waiting. I hope I remember that.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is always spunky-always was and will argue a point no matter what:)
DeleteI just read a book about dementia, and it was heartbreaking. I'm glad your mom remembers you, and so glad she's found a cohort.
ReplyDeleteI try to make things light in a very difficult and sad situation. My mom was sharp, loved life and she would have been the last person I would have thought this would happen to. It is good she has found someone
DeleteNot seen Hell's Grannies in years! I'd forgotten why my husband always calls Bolton Notlob. (He has a lot of quirky saying based on old tv shows, Frank Zappa records and the like. I just let it wash over me.....) Anyway, glad your Mom has a companion, even if she is a bad influence!
ReplyDeleteAren't they priceless! I am not sure who is the bad influence-I think it is mutual-both feed each other:)
Delete"Hell's Grannies" - OMG, I laughed until tears came. I adore Monty Python, but it's been years since I saw shows or movies. Thanks so much for including it in your post - what a great surprise! I'm sorry your own Hell's Granny is being difficult. But at least she's not tripping strangers or hiding dead bodies under leaves...
ReplyDeleteIt is funny isn't it:) Bless my mom but if she could trip someone and get away with it...I wouldn't put it past her.
DeleteLOL I loved the comparison to the grumpy old Muppets. I'm glad your mom has a friend even if they are a little too spunky sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAnd like Lexa I love Monty Python and hadn't seen this in forever. Thanks for including it.
Yes they are either Hell's Grannies or the Hecklers:) I think being spunky is what keeps her going
DeleteI'm trying to picture your Oma on a motorcycle. A fun image is passing through my mind.
ReplyDeleteActually she is my mom and yup she drove a motorcycle to work and had the full helmet and all. One day I will try to find the picture and place it on here
DeleteAh yes, I remember Hell's Grannies. And the poor lads they tormented. Not sure if that friend of your mother's is good for her. But then again, she's getting her to socialize a bit more, so that's good.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean because my mom has become more irritated about her home and why she is there. It has been difficult
DeleteWhat a great story, Birgit! It sounds like Gladys has been great for your mom. She would make a fantastic character for a book.
ReplyDeleteActually I have always wanted to write a biography on my mom because she led quite the life. She grew up under Nazi rule, She didn't agree with the regime even though she was a kid. Lost 2 brothers in the war, Survived the bombings on Hamburg and Dresden. Endured major suffering after the Russians marched in. Almost taken to Siberia but escaped and finally escaped to the west. There is then even more that happened to her
DeleteI got the image of one of them saying, "Oh dear, the radio's exploded." Good times are guaranteed for all, eh?
ReplyDeleteHahaha... I'm sorry, I imagine this is frustrating for you, but I find it SO amusing! I love angry old people. Cracks me up! And scares me haha .. but it's great she's getting out and about! It's always so sad to go to an old folks home and see people just... sitting there. :(
ReplyDeleteVery funny in a sad way. As w grow older, memories of a lifetime is all we have. To lose that is tragic. Hope your computer is behaving. ;)
ReplyDeletehugs, Asha
I can sympathize as my mom has dementia too. She lived with one of my sisters for fifteen years and now has been with a different sister for the last two. She still recognizes us kids (although me and my little sister - who lives in NY - are far away and in other states). We don't see her often. She's so confused most of the time and says some crazy things and wants to go out and get her own apt and such things too when she gets mad, but she can't afford that She no longer recognizes her grandkids or great grandkids. We can't afford to put her in a nursing home either, so hopefully this whole progression will slow down. It's one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteSunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/