Trip to Texas

Mike's mom, Arnelia, last Christmas.

We went to Magnolia, Texas, this weekend to visit Mike's family. Mike's mom lives in his sister Jeannie's guest house (which was built for that purpose.) She had a stroke in January and we almost lost her. She has recovered physically almost completely, but she also suffers from what the doctors call "stress-induced dementia." The last time we visited I was pleased with her progress; I saw her remember the word for syrup, and she knew all our names, and most days could sort of carry on a conversation. She just had a few of those forgetful things that are sort of funny (at least to my odd family.) But this visit...it made me sad. I think she's worse. I don't think she ever finished a sentence, at least not one that made sense. She knew us, but had trouble thinking of names. Mike's other 2 brothers and their families came, too, and the one night we were all there together, eating dinner, she made the comment to Jeannie, "I'll be glad when I can go home." Worst of all, Sunday evening she got weepy. Before, she was not a very emotional/demonstrative person, which made it even harder to see her like this. That evening, Mike and his siblings were meeting at Jeannie's house to discuss her care, so I stayed with her, and she just kept crying. When I'd ask her what was wrong, she'd say something like "Michael...I would never...didn't mean to...Michael...hurt". I tried to tell her Mike was fine, and no one was upset with her about anything, and I'd hug her and pat her, but she just kept on. Finally my sis in law Renee went and got Mike, and when he went up to her and asked what was wrong she just threw her arms around him and sobbed. It was heart-breaking, and frustrating that she couldn't even communicate why she was crying. She was better the next day.

On a happier note, the girls were oblivious, for the most part, and had a lot of fun. Jeannie has an above ground pool--they swam three times a day--and all the teenage cousins were there to spoil them. I took them to the Woodlands Mall and bought them Build-a-bear outfits in exchange for the 2 allowances I owed them, and now they owe me one! I also went halvsies with Jeannie on a bogo Yankee Candle (frosted pumpkin).

And Mike spent hours playing Risk with his brothers and nephews. So even though it was a difficult visit, it was a good visit. We left for home Monday morning and had a nice, uneventful drive home, and even got the girls to talk and play a little instead of just watching DVDs.