Name of the Day

Every day mom calls out a name. I call it the name of the Day. The name of the day is usually Ana, Carmen or Teddy. These are her sisters. She calls her brothers too. “Lalito, Nesto, and Willy.” Sometimes calls her grandchildren. “Mario, Makeda, Lamda.” I guess the names just come to her.

While my brother was visiting, she called, "Nito?" because she heard his voice.  He answered, yes mom.  She was really surprised when he answered.  Throughout his visit she would call out his name.  He would answer and she would have the same reaction.  It was like a game.  It was fun to witness.  My brother just smiled at her.  When she calls his name now, I tell her that he went back home.  She says, "No, I just talked to him this morning."

About a month ago, mom called out my cousin’s name. This really caught me by surprise because I had not heard from him since we were young. She said his name clearly. “Luis Acosta”. I tested her, “Who is that?” She looked at me and said with confidence, “Luisito is my nephew”.

One week after mom called Luis's name, I received a call from him. I was so happy to hear from him.  We chatted for a while.  I told him about mom.  He told me his good news.  He is with his son, and that he is now saved.  I forgot to tell him that he was the name of the day. 

Special thanks to Luis.  He and his prayer group have been praying for mom.  God Bless You.

Singing

Mom just started singing,

“My country tis of Thee sweet land of liberty of thee I sing

Land where my fathers hmmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm

From every mountain side let freedom ring

Our Father God to thee hmmm hmmm hmmm

Of thee I sing hmmm hmmm hmmm

My country tis of thee hmmm hmmm”

I try to sing along. I have trouble remembering the words myself. She has forgotten the words but not the tune. She keeps on humming the tune.

Mom is back home

Mom is home again. After spending three months in the nursing home, mom was sent to the hospital with severe tremors and chills. At the hospital the doctors thought she had pneumonia. They told my sister and me that she was aspirating. Mom came home by ambulanceand. I was afraid that she would not walk for some time. Through lots of prayers from family and friends mom started walking on her third day home. She is now at home with me with a g-tube. She is still in good spirits. She loves to walk and still does a little dance to any music she hears. Her total nourishment now comes in cans. She does not seem to care that she is no longer eating. I have tried feeding her soft foods but she just lets the food stay on her cheeks. She is now busy walking all day long. I have to beg her to sit down and rest. I am happy that she is home again.


Thank you all for your prayers.

Nursing Home

Mom is now in a nursing home because of a sudden deterioration in her level of functioning.  I visit her everyday.  She does not seem to mind being there at all.  She has made friends with the nurses and the aids.  She greets them all with her smiley hi's.  They say that she even sings for them when I am not there.  The most fun thing at the nursing home is that mom has everyone doing her chickyty chickyty dance! 

In Tune

Josephina singing...."Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great Thou art. How great Thou art...

She asks, "How was that?"
I say, "That was beautiful Mom"
She asks, "You like my signing?"
I reply, "I love to hear you sing. Sing again"

She sings, "Jesus is my Savior, Jesus is my Lord...
Lord of my day. Lord of my night. Lord of my everything and Lord of my life.."

"How was that?"

She keeps on singing in tune. Josephina loves to sing. I love to listen.

Mom got it right!

Mom's grand daughter (my niece) graduated from college today. We celebrated her graduation with a back yard barbecue. It was at my sister's home. The family was having a fun evening outdoors. It was great. All of a sudden, my sister started speaking and mom recognized her voice. Mom stood up from her seat and said, "That's my daughter Carmen speaking!"


My sister and I both froze with disbelieve and happiness at the same time. We looked at each other. I knew what my sister was thinking - that mom actually got it right. It was her daughter Carmen speaking. Carmen walked over to our mom and gave her a hug and said, "Yes, mommy its me Carmen" .

Mom has a sister named Carmen too. When mom says Carmen, she means her sister not her daugter. That why my sister and I were so shocked that she said, "my daughter Carmen."

I thank God for that small moment. It meant so much to Carmen and me.

Great grandson Jordin

Mom and her great grand son, Jordin have this love hate relationship. One minute she's hugging him, and the next minute she is chasing him away. Their interaction goes a little like this...

Jordin is hopping, bouncing in front of her demanding her attention, "Grandma, Grandma, Grandma!"
She is annoyed, "Leave me alone. Stop that."
He continues bouncing, "Grandma, Grandma, Grandma!"
She softens, "Yes baby, what is it".
Jordin is smiling at her, "Gimme kiss Grandma!"
Now she is smiling, "You want to give me a kiss?"
She looks at me saying, "You see this. He wants a kiss! He is something else. Come here".
She bends down to him. They hug and he gives her a kiss."
She says, "Thank you baby, God bless you. Now go play and leave me alone."