LOLA

This week I've cleared my schedule to take care of my Lola(grandma). She's 95 years young and has needed assistance in every thing she does. She had a nasty fall several months ago and hasn't been the same since. She needs 24 hour care and my family doesn't want to put her in a nursing home. In fact, I'm proud that she's never even stepped foot in one.

My mom is going to start radiation in less than 2 weeks. My other family members have already used most of their vacation time to caring for her these last few months. I'm the only one left who has the flexibility in schedule to give her the care she requires. Now I'm a chef-slash-care taker!

I cook every meal for her, exercise her, massage her, help her use the restroom, brush her teeth, brush her hair, clean her, read to her and most of all, love on her. She prefers only Filipino food so I've been building up my repertoire of recipes.Today I made mungo beans with bitter melon and spinach for her. I usually add coconut milk, but she prefers it plain. She cracks me up all the time. She needs prunes to help her move her bowels, so she drinks prune shakes with each meal.(It's basically 3 prunes and 3 tablespoons of warm water, all mashed with a fork.) She doesn't like prune juice and doesn't want me to use a blender. She like the texture of mashed prunes "by hand." I told her at 95 she can have her food any way she likes it! She loves ginger tea in the morning and warm milk at night. She likes her rice extra mushy, so it doesn't get stuck in her dentures either. For some reason, I'm savoring every minute caring for her. She likes to watch and direct me in the kitchen too!

I will care for her for 2 more weeks until my Tita(aunt)can pick her up and bring her back to Louisiana. And even though I'm not getting much sleep, I love caring for her. I love knowing she is loved and consciously think happy thoughts when I prepare her food. She deserves it. I need to post pictures soon! Well, I'm off to give her that glass of warm milk and her meds. Oatmeal and prune shake at 7am!