Today is my mother’s birthday. She’s 94. She lives in an assisted living facility although it’s only because she doesn’t like to take her pills. If she doesn’t take them, she gets all foggy. If she does take them, Lord help the staff. She takes to trying to run the place. What can you do?
Today she was visited by a fellow “prisoner” who confided an urgent desire to escape and Mother alerted the front desk via her emergency button. Mother: “They came and took her back home and then I looked out the window and there she was trying to get over the speed bumps again.” (I guess she was using a walker) “And I called the front desk and said, ‘whelp, she’s at it again’ and they all thanked me.” Mother would generally be the first to try to escape but apparently my brother has managed to beguile the ladies at the front desk with his swaggering charm (the men in my family all age well … fuck that) and so Jimbo’s daring escapades keep her entertained.
The Dashing Jimbo in his favorite hat.
She used to live with my husband and me but we are very boring and we live at least a four hour drive from her beloved son who is always innovating, creating, partying, and exercising. She lived with him briefly but he doesn’t own a television set and has lately become a vegetarian. She needed and could afford to live someplace where she could have a television in every room, eat what she wanted, and meet with her friends to plan their little rebellions. Life is meaningless for mother unless there’s something to rebel against.
So, happy birthday Mom and enjoy that coffee ice cream you fought so hard for!
Saying nothing in particular 
Thanks for sharing this, JT. Happy birthday to your mom🎉
Thanks – despite the lockdown, she had a great time.
Happy birthday to your mom, JT!
Thanks Mary!
Life is meaningless for mother unless there’s something to rebel against. My kinda woman.
Oh how I love this. 94? Damn!
Thanks for sharing, J. I really enjoyed this read.
She has been known to take that motto a bit too far, as you might imagine. You don’t want to travel with her…. age has loosened her tongue.
Seems like an older version of my mom. I’m used to it.
She sounds like a pistol.
I’m afraid so. ; )
😄
Love her cheekbones! Great smile – lovely story!
Her grandparents were both from Sweden.
Happy Birthday Mom! 😀
Thanks Norm!
Thank You for sharing!
My pleasure!
You mum sounds like she is quite a girl
She’s a party animal, that’s for sure.
Happy birthday to your mom! She sounds like quite the character. 🙂
Thanks!
This is a charming look at your mother. A rebel you say? Oh to have that much spunk at her age. I like the photos. Happy Belated Birthday.
Thanks Ally.
Ally’s comment makes me wonder if you see your mom in you (or not). Thanks for a vivid post, Jan.
She’s much more of a party animal that me. In that sense, I’m more like my father. Happy to sit in the corner and observe but not participate.
And I’m thinking an outsized personality in a family can cause other members to pull back.
Am chuckling, it must be a riot to have a mother like this:) But then where would I be, nothing to rebel against, lol. Wish her a happy birthday from your blogger friends. By the way you have a knack for writing, do you know that?
Thanks Doc! I won’t lie – growing up we didn’t get along at all.
Hate to bring this up, but maybe you have a little of her feistiness? (or however you would describe her)?
What a great post, sounds like she’d get on like a house on fire with my mother in law.🌹🌹
I’d have to say, age becomes her.
It’s amazing isn’t it 💜💜
I like her already, Twiz : )
Thanks Sloanie! How’s it going?
Such a witty piece. 🙂
You look like the photos of your mother when she was young.
Luckily my grandmother was very sentimental and kept all her children’s photos and records. Mother certainly didn’t do that! Skips a generation, I guess, is more true than not.
Hahaha – your humor is fun
And laughing at the escapes
My FIL is in a place
And he has not yet tried to escape – one time he had someone –
A different inmate – I mean client – accidentally take a nap In his bed after lunch –
It all Worked Out – he was just in the wrong floor – lol
Thanks! I can see that happen. Most folks in those homes don’t lock their doors.
Yeah / but it has not happened since then – so that is great
What a wonderful post, l really enjoyed it, Jan. Your mother is beautiful and seems to be a lively character.
Happy birthday to your Mum. She sounds like quite a character and I love all the photos. My Mum turned 92 the other day and they allowed me to visit – first time in a couple of months. I hope your Mum coped with lock down better than mine but now we are allowed weekly 1 hour visits mine is fine.