A Day of Her Life

Mom,

Here are some things to remember for today.

1.

When you order your groceries, add these things.

Shopping List:

• Coconut oil (for your elbows)
• 12 Eggs
• Tuna (don’t feed it to the cats, it’s for the casserole)
• Peanut butter for cookies (don’t refrigerate)
• Dry noodles for necklaces
• String cheese
• LaCroix (not lemon, you said it tasted like soap)

Get whatever else you need, but your stamps only come once a month. It’s the 12th, so we still have to budget. I wish you could take care of this yourself. I wish you weren’t terrified of numbers. I know the delivery boy is nice, but don’t tip him, please. Your wallet cash is for emergencies only.

2.

Your appointment is today at 2:00. The bus will pick you up at 1:33. I put your harp and coloring books in your red purse (not the black one, it has holes), so you should have something to keep busy. Remember, you’re on the last stop, so don’t get off until the driver tells you it’s time. I wrote your medications below for when you check in at the hospital.

Medications:

• Lithium (300 mg twice a day)
• Seroquel (300 mg a day)
• Donepezil (10 mg at bedtime)
• Prozac (20 mg a day)
• Vitamin D (600 IUs a day)
• Vitamin B12 (500 mcg a day)
• Melatonin (8 mg before bed)

I really hope this new doctor can help you understand what’s going on. I wish you would let me go with you, but you’re too dedicated to your privacy. I’m scared for you most days, like you’ll forget how to breathe or something. I know you’re stubborn, but try to listen to him, really listen to what he has to say. He’s there to help you. If you have a chance, show him the bruise on your toe. I’ll call him tomorrow and ask him to send me the notes in case you forget. The bus will get you at 3:23.

3.

Marty is coming over this evening at 6:00. He’s bringing you dinner. Try to remember that he’s only 23 and is dating that nice, young lady from Georgia. Please, don’t ask him to marry you again. Sometimes, I wonder if you remember anything about love or my dad. Was his name Marty, too? Here are the things that you wanted to ask him.

Questions for Marty:

• How old is your girlfriend?
• Can I come to your wedding?
• What is your favorite song?
• Do you know how to play the harp?
• Have you accepted God into your heart?
• Can I pray for you?
• What is your mom’s name?
• Can I write her a letter?

4.

The ingredients for the peanut butter cookies you want to make are in the cupboard above the microwave. Have Marty set the oven for you. Please, Mom, if this is the only thing you remember, don’t touch the pan when it’s hot. I was only four when you told me I could grab the baking tray without oven mitts. I wish you weren’t so oblivious to reality. I wish you could remember that the burns on my hands took months to heal.

Here’s the recipe for your cookies. Don’t eat too many because we have to be careful about your blood pressure.

Peanut Butter Cookies Directions:

• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• Set oven to 350
• Line tray with parchment paper
• Mix ingredients in bowl until smooth
• Roll balls of dough and place on tray
• Bake for 6-8 minutes

Put the eggs back in the fridge, not the dishwasher, and thank Marty for helping you clean.

5.

I will be over at 9:00 to help you with your medication after the kids are in bed. “Days of our Lives” is set to record, and your magazines are on the console. If you doze on the couch and get frustrated because you lost your teeth, or don’t know where you are, what year it is, just find this note and try to remember these few things.

Things to Remember:

• You live in Oregon
• You’re a painter
• You have two daughters
• You love God
• The cats are named Sunny and Garfield
• Sometimes you need the walker
• I have never forgotten you