Thursday, June 03, 2010

A Few New Florals

This has been a very trying week for me.  My 86-year-old mom, who lives with us and has Alzheimer's, is really sliding downhill.  It breaks my heart to see this.  She was always a very spunky lady, but she's just not with the program anymore.  She can still understand some of the things that we say to her, and she still recognizes us, but she's in a rather confused state most of the time. She hasn't been able to speak in quite awhile, so it's very difficult for us to know what's bothering her when she needs something or is in pain or distress.  My heart goes out to all of the folks having to contend with this dreadful disease.

We did have a bright note earlier in the week.  I finally got to spend some time over the weekend making a few beads.  That sure was a good thing, because I'm leaving on Tuesday for the Bead & Button Show.  On Monday, I put a bunch of the beads that I had just cleaned out on the kitchen table for mom to look at.  She immediately went for one of the floral beads that I made.  Then she looked at another bead, and went back to that floral and picked it up.  She did this with every bead she looked at - as soon as she finished looking at the bead, she put it down and picked the floral back up again.  When she was finished looking at all of the beads, she picked up the floral bead, got up, and took it into her bedroom.  I guess she decided that since she liked it so much, it was hers.  I found that rather touching.

I'm actually quite fond of two of the florals that I made over the weekend.  I like the color pop of the flowers against the "directly across the color wheel" background.  I hope I get a chance to make a few more that are similar.  This one is mom's favorite - the one that found its way to the top of her dresser.

And this one is my favorite.


And now I'm going to go pack up my tubs that will be going to Bead & Button.  I have to deliver them tomorrow to a friend who is driving to Milwaukee and offered to take them with her.  Now, you folks go have a happy and creative day!

9 comments:

Fiona said...

Your post touched a chord with me as I am dealing with an 87 year old mother with dementia. Your beads are lovely by the way.

Doug G said...

Hi Shirley,

So sorry to hear about your mom. I can't imagine how hard that must be for you and Len.

That was a nice story about her and your new beads though. They are amazingly beautiful beads.

Hang in there,
Doug

Elizabeth said...

Oh my heart aches for you and your family!! it must be so ahrd to watch her slip away but you are doing such a wonderful thing for her, having her with you and allowing her to gracefully expereince this part of her life. Sending you all prayers and strength and peaceful times together.
Your beads are stunning- it si a good thing that you are able to get in some Art THerapy- what would we do without it!!!! I hope that you are able to ahve awonderful tiemat Bead and Button!!! Attending that show is adream of mine!!
have a wonderful time!!
Elizabeth

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Oh Fiona, hugs to you! Some days I get really surprised as to the emotions this situation brings up in me. Holler at me if you ever need to vent, I have a bit of an idea of what you are going through.

Doug, I really got a chuckle out of mom absconding with my bead. I could see that part of her wanted to "get away with it" and another part of her wanted my approval for her to take it. She was like a little kid, and it really made me laugh.

Elizabeth, some day you absolutely have to go to Bead & Button - it is a truly amazing show!

Thank you all for your kind words about my situation with mom. And thank you for the comments about my beads as well. The artful side of my life provides me with a very necessary "therapy". In fact, it always has, whether I thought I needed therapy or not. LOL!

Patty said...

Shirley, what a wonderful thing you're doing to take such good care of your mom right now. It must be little moments like that which you described that keep you going...that, and your beautiful art. Best of luck at B&B! I wish I could come and see your latest beautiful work.

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Thanks, Patty - and yes, both of what you talked about keep me going. Today I had mom at the dentist, and she was in the chair waiting for the doc to come in after reading the x-rays. I was sitting in another chair, and I leaned down to get something out of my purse. When I picked my head back up, I whacked it on the arm of the light that goes over the dentist chair and mom thought that was the funniest thing. She started laughing like crazy, and it brought me this great big feeling of joy. I really treasure those moments.

Terriea Kwong said...

Hi Shirley,
Can see how you're feeling. Your mum is blessed with your tender care. Love all your works. Success in the show.

Fiona said...

I will almost certainly be in touch to sound off when you get back from your trip.

Shirley Cook - Jumping Jack Glass said...

Thanks, Terrie!

And Fiona... I'm baaaaaccckkkk! :-)

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