I gave my mom a bath tonight! It wasn't as bad as I had thought it was going to be. Probably because I've changed her clothes for her so many times before. It was just difficult getting her in and out of the bath.
I shaved her legs, clipped her toenails (they were *really* bad...picture the movie "Dumb and Dumber"), filed her fingernails, washed her hair, did a foot scrub with lotion.
She just kept saying (as best she could) "Thank you so much....thank you so much." (Wayne, her caretaker who passed away yesterday, tried his best but you know...he's a guy.)

She and Connor bonded quite well too. He gave her kisses after 10 minutes of her being here. And, even calls her "MMaaa MMaaa MMaaaa". (He doesn't even call me "MaMa" yet.) It was SO cute.

Just to see my mom so happy makes me happy. I know she misses Wayne though. Bittersweet feelings right now.

By Heaventree on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 09:41 pm:

Oh Heidi, I think that is so great that you can give back to your Mom. There was a time when she was your caretaker and now you have an opportunity to show her how much you love her.

By Kernkate on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 09:51 pm:

{{{Heidi}}} I did this for my mom for awhile before her passing away. Its hard but I think everyday that I was lucky enough to take care of her like she did for me for so many years.
So sorry to hear about Wayne, what a special person.
I had to laugh when I read about the Dumb and Dumber...been there done that

By Tink on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:00 pm:

I know it may not be what you'd like to be doing but I think that's just an even bigger testament to what a great job you're doing as a daughter! We took care of my great grandmother for the last few years of her life and there were certainly things I'd prefer to never have to do for anyone again but I know I would, if needed. {{{Heidi}}}

By Pamt on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:13 pm:

A great testament of love and more meaningful to her than you can probably ever know.

By Wandilu on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:38 pm:

I can just imagine how good that made your mom feel !! I'm beginning to have some worries about myself,or my future.I'm 52,and it's just now becomming real to me that I'm not a "spring chick" anymore.Somehow,we just expect that we'll always be young and able to take care of ourself.

By Nicki on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 12:56 am:

Heidi, she probably feels so much better after your TLC.
Glad she and Connor are doing so well together, too!
And, I am also sorry hear caretaker passed away.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 07:10 am:

(((Heidi)))

By Karen~moderator on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 07:29 am:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HEIDI}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

By Conni on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 09:03 am:

Oh you will be SO blessed for this!! Your Mom is blessed to have a wonderful daughter like you.

By Amecmom on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 09:15 am:

Hiedi,
You are amazing! What a blessing for you and for your mom. I am sorry about Wayne. I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ame

By Kay on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 12:58 pm:

It reminds me of the country song that's out right now - She's Somebody's Hero.

Makes me cry.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 04:33 pm:

Heidi - email me at klipvm at rcn dot com. I took care of my dear father as he sank into dementia, coupled with Parkinson's Disease, and for my mother when she was in a full leg cast. I learned a lot of tricks and shortcuts, and other helpful things.

By Annie2 on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 07:40 pm:

Heidi, you are doing an amazing thing with Connor and your mom. She raised you well.

I hope you take Ginny up on her offer of tricks. When my dad was infirm with cancer, Hospice came in a showed my sisters many things to do, which eased transitions, cleanups, etc immensely. These were used for my mom later on and really made things run a bit smoother.

(((HUGS))))