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This blog is intended to be a part of my personal journey as I watch my mother journey through Alzheimer's disease. I am writing to help me work through the grief of this long disease, and I hope that my thoughts might help you also.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

McDonald''s Memories

Sometimes the strangest things pop out of the darkest corners of Mother's memory.  She has trouble feeding herself, so as often as I can, I  time my visits around meals so that I can help feed her.  When I arrive, the aides often say she isn't eating very well.  I pull up a chair and begin visiting with her.  I tell her every little thing about my day as I put bite after bite in her mouth.  She smiles and chews, and before long she has finished most of her meal.

Most days, she is not sure who I am.  I tell her I am her daughter.  I tell her my name and she looks puzzled.  Sometimes she will nod.  Sometimes she thinks I am one of my sisters.  Mostly, she is smiles her beautiful smile and eats mechanically.

Yesterday evening I was feeding Mother the ham, potato salad and marinated pea salad on her plate.  I talked about picnics and the fantastic potato salad she used to make.  I asked her if she liked the potato salad she was eating.  "I don't know," she said.  I gave her another bite.
 "Is it good?" I asked.
"I don't know," she murmured.
She paused in her chewing, looked up and said, "McDonald's!"
In her later years, Mother had grown fond of a cheeseburger and fried from McDonald's.  She loved them, and next to Chinese food, it was her favorite meal.
"Would you like a cheeseburger and fries from McDonald;s for lunch tomorrow," I asked.
Her face lit up. Her eyes got wide, and she smiled with a bit of potato salad clinging to her chin.  She blinked her eyes quickly, she sign for yes, yes, yes.

So today, I know what I am having for lunch.  Two cheeseburgers, two fries and two senior Cokes to go please.  I am eating McDonald's at the home with Mother for lunch today. She will not remember the conversation from yesterday, but she will love the meal just the same, and I know it will make her smile.

1 comment:

  1. What a great thing that you have some tiny moment to offer her! It is uplifting to think how much she will enjoy that burger!!!

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