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.