Two Stories From Darla's Trip to Missouri

"COOKIE" My first week in Missouri was spent in Aunt Sharon's kitchen, baking cookies to freeze for Grandma. Apparently, she had developed a real love for them, and Aunt Sharon needed some "little packages" in her freezer to take to the care center, now and then. She ate so many that Sharon nick-named her "cookie". In fact, Grandma liked them so well that friends and family began bringing them when they came to visit. I baked chocolate chip, white chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and several other kinds. (Camille, you would have been in "cookie heaven"!) Several days were also spent reorganizing Sharon's kitchen. We even stayed up working until 1:00 am one night, laughing and talking like sisters do. I had to take this picture of her sitting in the floor, surrounded by all her tupperware!

THE GIFT The last few days Jennifer and I were in Missouri, we were blessed with s special gift -- a day and a night with Grandma at the hospital. The three of us had a sleepvover in her room, and what a fun time we had! Grandma was recovering from her surgery and had been taken off much of her medication. Consequently, she was very alert and her mind was very clear. She joked with us ALL day and into the night. She even made up a secret code for entering her room. I can't tell you what it was, because it was a secret! Anyway, you woluldn't want to know!!! By 4 pm she had completely worn us out, so we told her we needed to take a 30 minute nap, and so did SHE! Well, she wasn't tired, so we layed down while she watched the clock. At 4:30 she announced that our 30 minutes was up! After dinner Jennifer fluffed Grandma's hair and put some lipstick on her. Then we had a "photo shoot". NOTE - Grandma had been "drugged" for so long that it was as if she had "come back to life", and we were privileged to enjoy this special time with her. It was a day and a night that I'll always remember.

Jen, Aunt Irma (Grandma's Littlest Sister) and Darla at the hospital