In the play, "Art," a character is asked if he's happy. In a monologue, he reflects on this. He can't answer the question; he can't remember if he's ever been happy; he can't define what happiness is ( Read more... )

Interesting trend in America today. We no longer memorialize our dead with a funeral. Instead we hold a "Celebration of a Life." I was hard-pressed to find any Kleenex at the mortuary. I guess they figure nobody would need it. We're expected to push out those negative feelings and celebrate. This doesn't strike me as healthy ( Read more... )

We got a call from Hospice this morning. Mom had fallen out of bed, apparently breaking her hip. She was in extreme pain and the doctor had put her on morphine. Hospice suggested family members visit her soon ( Read more... )

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In today's mail, a form letter to my mother ( Read more... )

I called Verizon Wireless last week to discontinue Mom's service. I explained that she'd had a stroke and would never be using a cell phone again. Customer Service said I'd need to send them a copy of her death certificate. "Uh, she's not dead." CS gasped with embarrassment, apologized over and over, requested that I FAX a copy of the Power of ( Read more... )

Matt and I went to visit Mom. When we arrived at her room, we could see a woman attired in business dress was sitting and talking to her. Her back was to the door and we couldn't hear her, but it seemed likely that this was the hospice person. I went in to introduce myself and saw it was an old friend of mine from chorus -- Susan Morris! I ( Read more... )

The bad news is that Mom had a really bad night. The good news is that this triggered David to take action. He called hospice and said they had to start care right away.  They are FAXing a consent form to Ed to sign and FAX back and then they'll come right over.

Yesterday, Mom had another stroke. I was at work all day so didn't find out until almost 6pm. Ed was with her all afternoon. She was taken to the hospital for tests, but then Ed had the presence of mind to refuse to let them admit her. Her doctor confirmed: if she's hospitalized, they will work to prolong her life, and we all (Mom included) ( Read more... )

Conversation last night:
He: What's new?
Me: Have you been reading my blog?
He: Yeah.
Me: Then, nothing.