Mom

My mother will be 90 years old on September 24th. Things have not been easy for the past two years. She has had several strokes and is in a nursing home in CT. She is confined to a wheelchair, suffering from more and more bouts of dementia. Her care is considered to be "comfort" care, quite a misnomer. 

For her birthday, our three children chose different times to visit so as not to overwhelm her. What wonderful children we are blessed with for sure! No one lives within an hour of her, so it requires scheduling.  As busy as their lives are, with young children, spouses and jobs, they are considerate of that fact! I am so proud of each and every one of them!

Back story is that my mother has always loved the ocean. For the several years before her stroke, I always tried to take her to the shore for a "birthday celebration" sometime in early September. We would plan an overnight together. These are some of my fondest memories with my mom. Sometimes my sister would find time to join us, if not just the two of us would go; Maine, Cape Cod, Rhode Island. So my card for her celebrates those birthdays by bringing the ocean to her....

SU's Crumb Cake was torn for the sand, my own blue watercolor paper for the water, (see The First Day Of School post) cut in strips to show different colors from the same sheet. The lighthouse has a brad that holds the gold vellum. It can move up and down. The little sailboat attached with foam dots has separate sails in DSP. The foam on the water was created by tearing the paper.

SU's Up, Up and Away birds are flying in the sky, sponged with Distress Broken China ink. The lighthouse is from Wplus9 Guiding Light stamp and die set; the sailboat is from PaperSmooches Wicked Nautical stamp and die. Avery Elle's Count on it  was used on the guiding light.

Looking at it makes me think of the stormy seas that are directing her path right now, but that guiding light is still shining in her direction. Really directing us all!