We were sitting in the living room this morning and there was a woman swimming in some program on TV.
Mom started talking about how she would go early in the morning to the public pool in DeRidder to swim. What? I asked her what she did with us? I told her I didn't remember that. I reminded her she didn't know how to swim...
She said she would go while we were still asleep and return to fix breakfast. Mom said Dad was at home and he would watch us kids while she would go to the pool to swim. She said she would come home and have to nurse Laurie...She said we were in the country, but I can't remember ever waking up and Mom not being there, or that Dad was babysitting before he went to work.
Maybe we were still in Twin Lakes? That would make me 8 years old if she was nursing Laurie. Maybe I just can't remember things that took place when I was 8...Does anyone remember any of this? Did the pool open at 6:30 in the morning? I truly can't say she is making it up, because when I was 8, I am sure I was unaware of LOTS of happenings. I have never heard her speak of doing this, never!
This story is one of many she tells as we sit and grow old. She has lots of stories about when she was young. Many I have heard before, but she is starting to combine details to come up with new and improved versions of her memories.
I find her talking to herself during the day. She talks, then stops and "listens", laughs, and then starts talking again. I ask her who she is talking to, and she tells me she is singing. I figure she is retelling her stories to herself so she can remember them, but she is filling in the forgotten gaps with new information and is believing it. Then she tells me the story with the new information...
and believe me when I say, she does not like being questioned on her memory...so I don't question too much, but I wonder what's to come if I don't try to keep her information straight. Does it speed up the process of aging if I don't correct her, or does it just not matter.
I remind you all of the importance of keeping in touch with Mom as often as you can. Short phone calls are the best. Letters/cards put a smile on her face. Don't let the time get away...
