Happy 89

I told Mom August 3rd was Monday-her 89th birthday. Her common response these days: a look of confusion. What didn’t she understand? Monday? August 3rd? Birthday? 89?   It could be all of them or none of them. I won’t ever really know since her verbal communication has diminished to a few words here and there. Maybe on a “good day” she can put together a complete sentence.

I started over. “Today Mom, is Monday, one of the days of the week. It is August 3, the day you were born-your birthday. You are 89 years old and you look fantastic! I’m here to help you celebrate. I brought cupcakes.” Hearing the number 89 followed by “fantastic” raised a reaction from her: rolling of her eyes and an expression of “I don’t think so”. Upon hearing “cupcakes”, a huge smile and a peak of interest showed on her face. My mother has developed a sweet tooth, something she never had before or at least squashed all the cravings into oblivion.

I decided not to bring her pizza or fries, her favorite foods these days, since my brother and I would be visiting on Thursday. Instead we had the lunch they prepared for everyone in her “household” (i.e. unit of the building). It was good…sweet & sour chicken with rice and a piece of bread with butter. I had to hide the cupcakes from mom; like a little kid, if she saw them she would want dessert first and not eat her main meal. Mom tried the chicken and didn’t seem to like it. Tried the rice and definitely didn’t seem to like it. I knew the bread and butter would be a hit because she has always loved butter - it was. Pepsi instead of root beer seemed to be a pleasing change.  I was happy to see she still had interest in eating the salted watermelon I brought; mom always added salt to her watermelon “to enhance the taste.”  In her own way she gestured to make it very clear she needed more salt.

It was time for dessert. Cupcakes popped out from behind her vase of roses and birthday cards. She didn’t know what they were. I cut one into small pieces, making sure there was frosting on each piece. I put a piece on her fork and handed it to her. She grabbed it and in fragmented words asked: “what do I do with this?” I replied: “you put it in your mouth so you can eat it” followed by me guiding her hand to her mouth. It was no surprise when a look of shock and enjoyment covered her face as she chewed the sweet treat. 

Jackpot! Frosting brings her enjoyment every time - even if she didn’t know it was her birthday.