Retirement

Mom’s 93rd birthday is one week from today. Damsel and I decided to get her a recliner to replace the straight chair in her room at the retirement ranch.

Image – the new recliner – Click on the image to enlarge

I went on-line and found that Amazon had recliners in their vast inventory and picked out the one seen in the image. It should be delivered in time for her birthday, but the seller says it can’t be gift wrapped. I guess I understand that. We already leaked out the hint that she might be getting a new chair, so it will be a nice gift if not entirely surprising to her.

As for Mom and her adaptation to her new living arrangements, she seems to be getting used to the place and says she isn’t too homesick since we’re here in town and see her often. She misses her cats, but understands they can’t be with here in this place. We hope the chair will reinforce the notion that this is where she belongs and that she will be comfortable and happy in her new place.

I got a call from my sister in California this morning. She called to advise me that it was just about time to place our nonagenarian Mom in an assisted living facility. Mom had an episode this morning where she fell out of her chair at home and was unable to get up. She called the Fire Department, who had to break into her house, for help.

Mom lives in her house about a block away from my sister’s house. My sister looks in on her once a day, but wasn’t present for the incident.

So, after much discussion between Mom, my sister and I, we decided that it would be best to have her in a place where she can be cared for 24/7. That’s the down side of it. The positive side is that I think we can move Mom to Wickenburg, close to us.

I visited an assisted care facility a mere 1/2 mile from here. We often pass by the retirement ranch going to town. I liked what I saw, what they told me and the people there.

Mom’s a bit bummed about the whole thing, but I’m confident that when she gets here she will love it as much as we do. I sent her a brochure from the ranch along with a letter that states what’s to like about being here:

The little town of Wickenburg is a very good environment. We have clean air, a very low crime rate, it is quiet, has a mild climate and plenty of Western character. The only thing it lacks is YOU!

We hope to have her here for her 93rd birthday, Mother’s Day and many other happy days.