Independent Woman!!

I could change my mom's name to Mrs. Independent and she would be happy. She is slowing holding on to her independence as much as she can. As I was making her breakfast she was sitting in the chair trying to put on her shoes. The physical therapist, the old woman, as she calls her, guess because she has a head full of white hair and that only means you are old to my mom, is coming this afternoon to walk with her and do the exercises. So, she has these non-slip socks on and they are thick and she was sitting there trying to get her foot in her shoe. I told her that the sock might be a tad too thick but she insisted that she can do it and didn't want or need my help. I smiled and took a step back. She is feisty this morning. Almost like her usual self. So, she pushed and pulled and pulled and pushed her foot determined to get that foot in that shoe with that sock on. I put her breakfast on her little black tray and pushed it near her. I asked again if she needed help. She declined and she sat there and ate her food with one shoe on and one shoe off. She reminded me of how my son was when he was small. When he was first learning to put on his clothes he was like that too. He refused my help too and was proud when he finally did it himself and I would clap my hands and cheer. I don't think my mom would appreciate me clapping my hands and cheering for her though when she finally got her other shoe on over her heavy non-slip socks. She would probably cuss me out if I did. Although, I felt like it. I won't lie. 

I love that fact that she holds on to doing little things. And she hasn't given up trying to do them. Yesterday she was putting on her jacket. I guess she saw it and just wanted it on. I asked if she was cold but she said no and she struggled with that jacket, had it upside down, this way and that way and I could tell that she was getting frustrated but in a few minutes she got that jacket on with a little help from my son. She will take help from him, go figure.  He tells her, "Grandma it is okay if you need a little help. Just ask me." He's 10 going on 20 sometimes. But, I am glad he is there to help and she takes his help and they talk and laugh about it later about how they got that jacket on finally. 

Today seems like it might be a good day. I will know more after this afternoon when the therapist comes and if she will agree to go down the stairs with her for a walk. Knowing my mom that could go either way. She may do it and she may not and insist that they walk around the house and mean it. Today she is feisty for sure.