A Memorable Day

This past Friday was a special day in several ways... It was my grandmother's 80th birthday and it was Adalynn's first time to meet her great grandma!

I think I would describe it as a "bittersweet" time visiting Grandma. She was in great spirits, absolutely LOVED seeing Adalynn, but she didn't know who we (Addy and I) were. I think she recognized Mom and Dad (her son), but I'm not positive. She certainly seemed glad to see us, though. Lots of smiles and lots of attention toward Adalynn. There was a time when Grandma and Adalynn were deep in conversation. Adalynn was just squealing and Grandma was completely entertained saying, "Is that right?" "Oh yes!" and "Is that so?" Grandma seemed very happy and content.

During the visit, there were moments of laughter when Grandma's sense of humor emerged. And there was great joy watching her play the piano. I completely believe that she has a musical gift, because she was able to play many songs when Dad prompted her (without watching her hands) and yet she wouldn't have remembered them if she ever "learned" them. I don't think she ever had piano lessons. And then she sang to us with her memorably smooth, alto voice... It was very sweet to walk back in time like that and reminisce about how we used to sit around her piano and sing. She would always ask me to come and play with her, and we'd sing... but most of all, we just admired how talented and naturally gifted she was at the piano. Grandma has many gifts like that...

Another sweet time was when Mom and Dad gave her a birthday present of a baby doll. At this stage of Alzheimers, we think that Grandma is reverting back to when she was a child. That or her nurturing instinct is strong and she has a desire to care for this baby. She absolutely loved it! She sat there and admired both Adalynn and her new doll--and she thought her doll was real. It was a very tender time watching her talk to, kiss and hug her new baby. When Adalynn got a little fussy, she told her doll, "Don't listen to her" and she smiled.

I don't think I'll ever forget that day... sweet memories. Adalynn may never really "know" her great grandma, but she did get to meet her, she heard her sing, play the piano and Grandma got to hold her. Very, very sweet...

Adalynn and her great grandma having a talk...


Grandma and her new "baby"

4 generations