.Being Thankful

We're Back. Yes, just like many American families we went over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house. (Except in our case it was more like over the mountain and through the Hampton Roads Tunnel which isn't nearly as lyrical!) Mr. Wonderful and I left Wednesday afternoon before traffic got too heavy. We were able to spend several days with my mom and help her. Mom has macular degeneration and was dreading writing her Christmas cards. We were able to print her Christmas letter including family pictures and print out mailing labels to put on her cards. She was very happy and relieved to still be able to keep in touch with her friends. We also helped rake and bag leaves in her yard. Mom had already exhausted herself raking and bagging most of the leaves. Mr. Wonderful was able to get most of them up with the lawnmower. There are still more leaves yet to fall but we at least made a small dent and hopefully, she won't wear herself out doing yard work.

We also played Parcheesi

while we were there. I learned to play this game as a child and we always played whenever we would go and visit my grandmother (my mom's mom). Grandmother was the best Parcheesi player I ever knew and I think my mom has taken over her title. (Maybe it gets past down to the oldest female in the family....who knows?) We would roll the dice to see who went first and then we would roll the dice to see who got to play partners with grandmother. Whoever won Grandmother....always won the game! Mom never has to count out the board. She can roll any number and get to the right space without having to count each space she passes. She has a knack for being able to roll just the right number to send your player home, to get out, or move up the ladder. She does have a little trouble now seeing the dots on the dice but no trouble knowing her options. I never have the option of letting her win.....I'm always trying not to be humiliated or so exasperated that "I accidentally knock the whole board over." Sorry! We went to Sunday School and church with her today and headed back after lunch. I am thankful that she is in good health, has supportive church friends, and is very independent. (Sometimes too independent!) We were able to get her a cordless amplified phone that seems to be helping her hear much better. She called this evening and said, "Can you hear me alright?" I had to laugh, as me being able to hear her was never the problem! Mom turns 82 this January. I think she is quite remarkable!