I BRAVELY went to the Social Secuity Administration office this morning. They opened at 9am and I was #7 in line. At 9:45am, the FIRST person was still being helped. Deep, deep cleansing breaths. It's going to be a long day. Thankfully, another worker began meeting with those waiting to discuss business so it wasn't as bad as it first seemed. I was able to complete the application/interview to become their SS representative payee. This just means the checks come to my house before I turn them over to the nursing home. Once their assets are liquidated from the costing of their nursing home care, Medicaid will take over paying for their care and I won't have any further dealings with the SS checks.
Tomorrow I head to Richmond for the Guardianship/Conservator hearing, surity bond, and take my official oath to do diligence in caring for my grandparents. Friday's hearings are for the protective order. I anticipate that Preston will appear again which is a little uncomfortable to say the least. Getting my game face on - I may be shaking in my boots but I won't let that show. Extra deodarant for sure!!! LOL!
While visiting James and Etta today, I was shocked and saddened to learn that one of the residents, their next door neighbor at the Laurel's, had passed away. I had gotten to know her daughter well as she visited daily too and our paths often crossed. We even swapped phone numbers and had chatted on the phone about our situations. Pat was devastated by the thought of losing her mother, Thelma. She had recently lost her adult daughter and was not prepared for another death. Not sure we ever are but certainly her heart was still healing from the loss of her daughter at age 27. When I entered their unit, I saw a single, beautiful, white rose on the counter. The note read, "In Memory of Thelma Goode." I gasped and tears welled up in my eyes immediately. I felt a rush of emotions- I thought of Pat and what she was going through, I wondered if sweet Miss Thelma suffered, and though I resisted, I thought of James & Etta. Their mortality seemed too close, too real. I thought, this is where my grandparents will die. One day, I will walk through these doors to a rose placed in their name. I will go into their room and have to pack their things. What will it be like when one goes before the other? Questions and thoughts overwhelmed me....
And then, Etta spotted me! Quick, I thought. Get it together, Jeannie!!! I took yet another deep cleansing breath and put my game face on again. I have to say, seeing James and Etta both light up when I greet them is like instant sunshine on a gloomy spot in my day. It trumps all!
Etta looked just beautiful today and seemed so bright. James was all smiles too- but of course as it was lunch time. Per our routine, Etta prompted me to stand a few feet out from her so she could see my outfit. This is always followed by, "now turn around" and "let me see your shoes today".
We chatted a bit about her day and visitors. She told me that James likes coming here and that so long as she doesn't have other things going on, she like to come with him. She wanted me to know that she never knows what time they will come in the morning so it is best to call ahead to make sure they are there. She didn't want me to waste a trip out there if they weren't there yet. She did tell me how wonderful it is that we see eachother everyday since "this place" is so close to my home. I was impressed that she figured out she was closer to me than if she was still in Richmond. Again, she asked me if I also worked there. She also told me that people come into her room all the time and that they all seem to know me. I can only think this is just me getting to know the staff and that some member of my church go there each week and stop in to see them.
I know I won't get to see them Thursday or Friday, for sure. I feel a little emotional about this. I know that sounds crazy, but I miss them in the same way I miss my children if I go away for an evening or girlfriend get-away. I think perhaps I also know that so much changes in a day and I don't want to miss a moment.
Off to prepare for Thursday and Friday now... praying for peace and progress!
Thank you for reading my stream-of-consciousness journal entries. Knowing you care makes a world of difference in my heart! The love you place in my heart is easily shared with James & Etta!
Tomorrow I head to Richmond for the Guardianship/Conservator hearing, surity bond, and take my official oath to do diligence in caring for my grandparents. Friday's hearings are for the protective order. I anticipate that Preston will appear again which is a little uncomfortable to say the least. Getting my game face on - I may be shaking in my boots but I won't let that show. Extra deodarant for sure!!! LOL!
While visiting James and Etta today, I was shocked and saddened to learn that one of the residents, their next door neighbor at the Laurel's, had passed away. I had gotten to know her daughter well as she visited daily too and our paths often crossed. We even swapped phone numbers and had chatted on the phone about our situations. Pat was devastated by the thought of losing her mother, Thelma. She had recently lost her adult daughter and was not prepared for another death. Not sure we ever are but certainly her heart was still healing from the loss of her daughter at age 27. When I entered their unit, I saw a single, beautiful, white rose on the counter. The note read, "In Memory of Thelma Goode." I gasped and tears welled up in my eyes immediately. I felt a rush of emotions- I thought of Pat and what she was going through, I wondered if sweet Miss Thelma suffered, and though I resisted, I thought of James & Etta. Their mortality seemed too close, too real. I thought, this is where my grandparents will die. One day, I will walk through these doors to a rose placed in their name. I will go into their room and have to pack their things. What will it be like when one goes before the other? Questions and thoughts overwhelmed me....
And then, Etta spotted me! Quick, I thought. Get it together, Jeannie!!! I took yet another deep cleansing breath and put my game face on again. I have to say, seeing James and Etta both light up when I greet them is like instant sunshine on a gloomy spot in my day. It trumps all!
Etta looked just beautiful today and seemed so bright. James was all smiles too- but of course as it was lunch time. Per our routine, Etta prompted me to stand a few feet out from her so she could see my outfit. This is always followed by, "now turn around" and "let me see your shoes today".
We chatted a bit about her day and visitors. She told me that James likes coming here and that so long as she doesn't have other things going on, she like to come with him. She wanted me to know that she never knows what time they will come in the morning so it is best to call ahead to make sure they are there. She didn't want me to waste a trip out there if they weren't there yet. She did tell me how wonderful it is that we see eachother everyday since "this place" is so close to my home. I was impressed that she figured out she was closer to me than if she was still in Richmond. Again, she asked me if I also worked there. She also told me that people come into her room all the time and that they all seem to know me. I can only think this is just me getting to know the staff and that some member of my church go there each week and stop in to see them.
I know I won't get to see them Thursday or Friday, for sure. I feel a little emotional about this. I know that sounds crazy, but I miss them in the same way I miss my children if I go away for an evening or girlfriend get-away. I think perhaps I also know that so much changes in a day and I don't want to miss a moment.
Off to prepare for Thursday and Friday now... praying for peace and progress!
Thank you for reading my stream-of-consciousness journal entries. Knowing you care makes a world of difference in my heart! The love you place in my heart is easily shared with James & Etta!