I've been back from Florida for a few days, but I'm still processing everything that happened. My great-aunt was an interesting character. I would have liked to get to know her under different circumstances. As it was, our time together was stressful and filled with more confrontation than I would have liked. I'm not one for confrontation, but make my mother cry? And look out.
When I left, I thought we had come to an amicable solution; we found a lovely assisted living facility that my great-aunt loved, and she put down a deposit on a room. My mother is staying for another three weeks to smooth the transition. Yesterday, however, the rehab center my great-aunt is currently staying in decided to inform the assisted living facility that she needs an excessive amount of care - more than she really needs, in my opinion. I'm not sure what their motivation is. Thus, the assisted living facility may not accept her, and she's only got a week left of Medicare coverage. My mother has to deal with this headache on her own. In the face of this, my great-aunt is again threatening to move back into her house with no care whatsoever (not possible or safe).
Sometimes my great-aunt is "there", sometimes she's not. She's very witty and very funny when she's present. When she's not, she's calling my mother by my grandmother's name, throwing out crazy accusations, and telling us about the music (voices?) she's going going on in her head. She refuses to move to where my mother lives simply because of the state, even though she's never been there. She's got no family and no friends in Florida, or within 1100 miles, and doesn't mind one bit. It's an interesting existence.
Mom and I made it to the beach one day to watch the sun rise. It was simply gorgeous. After the sun rose, we spent some time splashing through the warm water looking for seashells. What a great memory.
More photos, including photos of the
still processing
April 20th, 2007 at 05:01 pm
April 20th, 2007 at 05:25 pm 1177086347
April 20th, 2007 at 05:44 pm 1177087475
April 20th, 2007 at 08:05 pm 1177095942
Love the pics, can't wait to get to Florida next week!
April 20th, 2007 at 08:35 pm 1177097714
Hey, you arrived back in MN, just in time for some gorgeous weather!
April 20th, 2007 at 08:56 pm 1177098967
April 20th, 2007 at 10:27 pm 1177104466
The gardens are beautiful. I used to be more attracted to English Cottage Gardens, but more and more love the beauty of the simple Japanese gardens.
April 21st, 2007 at 04:09 pm 1177168165
littlegopher, the weather has been wonderful ever since I got back! How pleasant.
HouseHopeful, I'm sorry you've had to go through something similar. It really is a difficult situation.
homebody, I love the Japanese gardens, too. They are so peaceful. Just what we needed.
Thanks for all your warm thoughts.