A Dream Come True

Seems like this spring is the time to fulfill bucket lists. My Dad visited the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam and the Redwoods and can proudly say he has visited all the lower 48 states. Kudos, Dad! Last Saturday, I headed to Woodbine Farms to practice for the horse show on Sunday. The sun was shining and the temperature was hot with a lot of mugginess. My horse, Hope, was a bit out-of-sorts with a bellyache, because she showed up lame and my instructor/owner gave her some medicine. As I watched, a horse bucked around the arena, saddle blanket and rein dragging. I was so afraid for him. Something spooked him and he threw his rider. Later, he was scratched because on Sunday, the rider lost control and the horse galloped for the barn. I went to go home only to discover that I had left my keys on the back seat and locked the car. From now on, I use the key fob to lock the car! My husband drove 30 minutes to bring me the spare. Lesson learned. I was more careful on Sunday. On Sunday, I arrived early enough to watch and learn entering and leaving the arena and starting the test. I competed with 7 other riders in Test A and in a field of 12 on Test B and placed 6th in both. Competing was the cake, winning the ribbons a bit of frosting! A dream come true!

Isolation

I understand so much better now. I know why my dad wants to talk to me when I come to visit on Tuesdays. My dad and brother left May 14 for their Great Western Adventure and my mother and I are keeping the home fires burning. My mother is immobile and has some cognitive impairment, so someone needs to be with her all the time. The schedule worked out so that between her aides, my sister and me, all the hours are covered. I help her dress, prepare her meals, keep her stimulated with scrabble, reading material and tv. My son mowed the lawn during my dad's trip so he visits with us on Tuesday. And on Memorial Day, my husband and our children and one of their friends visited. But the visit ended all too soon. Once we ate dinner (right after lunch and a snack), mother settled down and became more peaceful. She was agitated and confused, worried that my family would not get enough to eat. My husband did stop over a couple times, but when it's a string of three weeks, it's like a drop in the bucket. Even though I enjoy talking with my mother and we have a good time, I feel isolated.