My Mother Called Me Today

I was rushing out to a luncheon date when the phone rang. "Hello", I breathed into the phone. "Hi Deanie, it's Mama", the bright, cheery voice said. I was stunned and dumbstruck for a moment. I quickly recovered and said "Mama, you called me. I'm so happy to hear your voice". My mother hasn't been able to call me in 10 years. Alzheimer's robbed her of her ability to connect to others many years ago.

I had purchased her a special picture phone from the Alzheimer's store over a year ago. The phone contained 3 pictures; me, my sister and my mother's niece. Each picture was pre-programmed with the appropriate phone number. To call us, all you had to do was lift the receiver, and punch the picture of the person you want to call. Still, my mother has not been able to call me. I hate Alzheimer's!!!

You can imagine how happy I was to hear her voice.

"I'm at Aunt Helen's house", she said. "I've been here in Brooklyn a week". "I'll be going home soon, though". Now, I know that she was home because her phone number came up in my Caller ID, but I didn't correct her. I was too happy that she'd called. We chatted for a little bit--our basic conversation these days, what's the weather like, what are you doing...As the conversation was coming to a close, my mother said "Ok, Thanks for calling".

With tears in my eyes, I said "Ok, Mom, take care. I love you". And I do.