People and family say I look like my Mom. Just a few short months ago I was having breakfast with my Dad and his good friend and he turned to my Dad and said, " she resembles Irene" I said thank you for the nice compliment. When I was younger I hated those words,, "You look like your Mom" I confess it was difficult for me because I wanted to be my own person. My Mom knew this too. Ever since I can remember my Mom always had her hair in place, lipstick on and dressed to walk out the door in a moments notice. She has not been that person for quite sometime the above mentioned no longer exists.
My Mom was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease about five years ago. I remember the day I took her to the doctor's office and talked with the nurse practitioner. My Mom was so unaware of her body movements, discussing the issue was more difficult than I realized. After that visit it took almost two years to actually receive a final diagnosis. The ordeal tormented me. I had read all the material and literature on the disease and realizing that there's a fifty percent chance that I could have the disease made the situation unbearable. I finally talked with a pyschiatrist a couple of years ago and got my head on straight - ( for now ).
I visit my mom at least twice a month and though her appearance is not the same, her humor is unbelievable ( meds can help). I've learned to surrender the situation, no expectations. I sit with her and read and what happens from that point on takes on a life of it's own. She loves to talk about her trips with a man she lived with for several years ( no longer in the picture) and I'm thankful she was able to see some of the country. I told her I had better get started if I'm going to catch up with her. She loves animals, always has...she repeats herself sometimes but I do too. She tells me a story of a turtle they found and how they took it home and then had to turn it loose in a nearby creek. She enjoys watching the birds and squirrels from her window. She has a bird in her room, her name is Pretty Girl. I keep my distance from her.
So, I mention all this because today during our visit I spotted a picture christmas card from my daughter and I asked Mom if she recognized the family and she said yes. I held the card in front of her and said who is this: pointing at Sweet Tater and she said that's Trish. I named all the family members in the photo and she said, "what?" she thinks Sweet Tater and Trish switched bodies. My point exactly, family resemblences. Grandma Irene said they are a good looking family. She just didn't realize Trish is all grown up.
