I lost my sense of humor for awhile. Coming to terms with a parent's dementia just sucked it right out of me. I shouldn't have worried--after the grief and worry and readjustment I should have known that there would be moments of humor that will stick forever.
The first time I laughed was an encounter my mother had with a mailman. I should explain that she believes all mailmen are her personal enemy. She thinks they steal her mail and pass up her house on purpose. She isn't quite sure why the mailman should hate her but postmen are now alerted.After an exhausting morning of little errands, we were just leaving the bank. Money is not a happy topic: she had lost the $100 in cash I'd just gotten her and she's also convinced I'm robbing her blind. Fortunately the teller was very understanding and I'm pretty sure she didn't push the ROBBERY button under her window when my mother told her I was a thief, adopted, in cahoots with the mailman and had cleaned out her account.
Well pass me mah salts and get me out of here. I'm pretty sure the bank security cameras caught me elbowing my mother in the ribs as I hustled her out the door before the startled mailman could start asking questions.
But it didn't end there. On the ride home we had to wait for a Fed Ex truck to turn in front of us. The red and blue markings on the truck convinced my mother it was the despised mail truck. The next thing I knew she'd rolled down the window of the Jeep and was FLIPPING OFF the driver of the Fed Ex truck! (Are smoked windows allowed in the front seats of vehicles????)I have laughed over things like this. But I've been mostly grateful for the kindness of strangers who have noticed what is happening and manage to whisper words of encouragement to me, just in passing. That, and the understanding of Mr. T and friends have propped me up as I adjust to a new phase of daily life.
