Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Granny's Panties

My mother has Alzheimer's. Those are four powerful, awful words. Alzheimer's disease is not only destructive to the life of the patient, but devastating for the family as well. Watching Mom decline slowly but surely over the past few years has been a life-altering experience. I often find myself frustrated and tired and annoyed, but then there's moments of joy and humor that catch me offguard and keep me sane.

Earlier this year, I was in the bathroom of my mother's studio apartment at the assisted living facility where she now lives. She was struggling to pull up her pants, so I offered to help. As I bent to wiggle up one pair of underpants, I discovered to my surprise--and horror--that Mom was wearing a second pair of ladies' panties. Both pairs were white with colorful floral designs and quite stylish as far as ladies' undergarments were concerned. There was only one problem. Neither pair was hers.

I knew this for a fact because I buy all her clothes. My neurotically neat and clean mother had obviously been rummaging through the dressers of other residents (I pray it was the dresser drawers and not the dirty clothes hamper). She had lost so much of her true personality that she'd become quite comfortable wearing someone else's undies. Worse yet, both pairs were wet. I knew right there and then, we had to lose the whole underwear scenario. Mom needed disposable pullups for adults. I rushed out to buy some.

The next day, I returned with three huge packages of disposables for women. On Mom's next trip to the bathroom, I once again offered to help. When she pulled down her pants, I gasped. Not only was she not wearing her own panties, she was wearing men's boxer shorts! I ripped open a bundle of disposables and changed her immediately. Before I left that day, I scooped up all her underpants and filled her dresser drawers and bathroom shelves with disposables. I was sure I had the problem under control until I did her laundry later that week. Tucked inside her laundry basket was a pair of ladies' cotton undies in size XXL. Mom is 95 pounds and size 2 petite. I just had to laugh.

Why am I telling you all of this you ask? Because as we prepare for the upcoming holidays, we need to keep in mind the blessings in our lives. When all the shopping is done and the presents are wrapped, spend a little time reflecting on the joy of this season--the time off work, family dinners, long walks with the dog, Christmas cards, and caroling. So take a break from the hassles and hurries and spend a quiet moment in thought. Remember--life could be worse. You could wake up one morning and find yourself in someone else's underwear and not even care!

*** NEWS ON THE BOOK FRONT

I've just seen the proof cover and interior layout for my soon-to-be-released YA novel, Merely Dee, and I was thrilled beyond measure with the results. I'd been asked by the publisher to select a photo/drawing for the cover from an online website of stock images. After an entire day of searching the site, I couldn't find an image that seemed to portray the intensity of the novel. During my research, I'd come across a photo by a Chicago Tribune staff photograher taken just after the capsizing of the Eastland in 1915. The photo had haunted me, and I'd made a copy of it and saved it in my files. I emailed a copy of the  photo to the design team, and they loved it as well. So I secured the reproduction rights from the Chicago History Museum and that haunting photo now graces the cover of Merely Dee. As soon as I'm permitted, I'll share that cover with all of you.

Follow these links for more information on the real-life story of the Eastland Boat Disaster.

www.eastlanddisaster.org

www.wheatonhistory.org

From my family to yours, Happy, Happy Holidays! Stay safe. And remember, keep your knickers on.

       

4 comments:

Amber C. said...

That was a cute story, I totally agree with your point. Sometimes in the most frustrating, or tiring events, you just have to stop and find the humor in it, or else you'll just go nuts. Trust me, I know!

Heather said...

I'd like to confirm, I do have my own knickers on! for today at least!! Will enjoy browsing your links and looking forward to seeing the cover pic. Lots of luv, Heather

Nic said...

Also have my own knickers on! Tho' I did attempt to put them on upsidedown.

Can't wait to see the book. Can. Not. Wait.

Cherie Colyer said...

I third the knickers situation - got my own on today. And you are right, things can always be worse.

Can't wait to see the cover of your book!

Happy Holidays!