Just so tired--9/1/15

As I pulled into the parking lot, Mom was just rising from an outside  lounge chair and gathering cushions to bring inside, lest it rain.  She's been doing that lately--awaiting my daily visit outside on a patio chair near the parking lot.  It tugs at my heart to see her prepare, to anticipate my visit so.  Puts pressure on me.  What about those days I've not been able to visit? Despite my having told her so, did she forget and wait outside, eventually giving up?  I'll never know. Slowly walking inside with her, I noticed her weariness--and a suggestion to stop and have coffee in the dining room was met with only mild acquiescence.  Curiously she no longer wants a sweet, only coffee.  Previously she'd have munched on several cookies, yet not lately. We chatted about my day, news about the kids, etc.  Eventually I noticed she was closing her eyes.  "I'm just so tired," she said. "So tired."

We slowly made our way back to Mom's apartment, the panting of her breathing becoming even stronger.  "Just another door to go," I encouraged--just one more apartment and then we'd be at 304.  She wobbled into the place and I guided her to the bedroom where she found her way to her twin bed and lay down.  She groaned audibly as she did so.  "Cover my feet, would you?" she asked, and I tucked her fleece throw over her shoulder and around her feet.

I took care of my normal duties and as I did so, saw Mom had a bowl filled with cereal sitting there.  Had she not eaten breakfast?  And the food she had in the fridge for dinner (leftovers from lunch) seemed to be the complete meal.  Had she eaten anything?  Anything all day?

Her weariness overtaking her, I gave Mom a quick kiss, and an "I love you--see you tomorrow," and was on my way.  I would not be shocked to hear one day soon, that she did not awaken, but just slept on.