This morning is cloudy, breezy, warm, and very humid in south Florida.  Yesterday, Fort Myers had the highest temperature in the 48 states.  How that contrasts to home where it has been another frigid week with snow and ice.  Anne and I made our jog this morning, but almost didn’t.  Dad and Mom were awake and up.

Mom came home yesterday more or less against medical advice.  She would tolerate the nursing home no longer.  Anne and Mary Helen assisted her into our low car and brought her home.  I stayed here with Dad and our new aide, Rose, a sweet Italian American woman.  The aide who came the last two weeks left, her resignation a bit of a mystery.

I went downstairs to meet the ladies upon their arrival in two cars and with baggage from their two-week stay at hospital and nursing home.  I brought Mom up in the wheel chair and took her directly to the back porch where she sat with Dad and said a rosary.  We adjusted the furniture to provide better passage even though we want Mom to be using the walker as much as possible.  Her recovery is coming along, but she still has pain and fear of falling that make it hard for her to navigate.  She becomes short of breath when walking which adds to the challenge.  A physical therapist will come today to make an assessment and prepare a plan for ongoing visits in the coming weeks.

The afternoon and evening went well, but Mom went to bed a bit early last night.  Both Dad and Mom tend to drift into taking short random naps between periods of activity and so have less desire to maintain a defined bedtime or sleep many hours at night.    We caretakers who do tire in the evening and want a long sleep at night find this somewhat stressful.   Hopefully, some routine will become established over time.

Mom’s return yesterday was exciting.  Today is celebration of the 70th anniversary making more excitement.  We began the celebration with a Sunday style breakfast. Several guests will stop in this afternoon.  Calls were made letting them know that Mom is home.  Originally the party was to be at the nursing home, but Mom’s early departure changed that.  We will pick up the cake at Noon.  Cake and soft drinks will be served. 

Various flowers decorate the apartment for this event.  Therese’s ginger cookies are a hit, especially with Dad.  There is fresh sourdough whole wheat bread with sunflower seeds and wheat germ.  The chef thinks it came out a bit heavy and cake-like with the additions, but it sure tastes good.  The sugar was honey, and that always adds to a bread’s popularity.  Supper will be pork and slaw as requested by Dad. 

We endeavor to make the most of this great day but also take breaks so as to avoid too much activity.  Tomorrow will be more relaxed with time to truly settle in to being at home together.  And, it will be another mild day in southwest Florida.  We count our blessings.