Paul L

I don't mind getting personal from time-to-time so here goes. My Mother is 84 and lives in a very nice and well-managed retirement home. She has Alzheimer and reduced mobility from a fall/hip bone break last Christmas. But she still has spunk.

I had fully expected to have my 1967 in commercial storage by now but the weather has held up. This morning was 34F but sunny and the forecast was a high of 50F. So one more ride....I thought of my Mother and despite her nice surroundings, her joy in getting out occasionally. Why not a ride in the Vette? She has never seen it. It was a bit of a struggle to get her in but the car was humming. And the day was beautiful. Took her down to her favourite junk food store - Dairy Queen - and treated her to a chocolate sundae. Then a cruise along local parkways to see the leaves and their colourful splendour. She had a grand time.

Back at the home I asked her how she enjoyed the day. The answer was a little unexpected but it came with a wink: Your car is noisy, it smells and you drive too fast. I "think" she enjoyed the drive...I know she did in fact. The cruel thing about Alzheimer is that she will not remember today this evening. I have learned to live with that but for one day at least the smile in the pic tells a story. Cool chick who hasn't given up on living.



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JohnZ

That's a wonderful story - even if she doesn't remember it later, you always will. :grouphug:

Paul L

Thanks John. The pic will not come up for some reason but the smile was there.




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Paul L

Ed,
Your Mom looks great! Mine is more frail but has not given up on life yet. I took pics that for some reason will not show up here but that is fine. I have printed them off and will give her copies. She may remember, I do not know. But I will. It's a strange experience dealing with a person who knows that 95% is gone. They cherish the smallest things and gestures. And it is kind of funny when your 84-year-old Mother tells you to slow down and you do ;) . I felt like a kid again today. She gave me a right hand drive in my shoulder!

*Edit*- I just spoke with my Mother (6:45pm EST). She asked me what is new? She has no recollection of the drive today. Elzheimer is a terribly brutal disease. But it was fun day nevertheless.


[Modified by paul67, 6:53 PM 10/19/2003]

gilbybarr

What a nice day for your Mom....I agree, while she may not remember it, you will remember it forever. Taking time to call and spend time with our parents....something we all ought to do more of. Good job!

Tripleblack51

You're a good son.

Here's to many more rides for you and your mom. :cheers:

Pedro

tuxedo

Great Story. I took my mom for a ride awhile back. She is 68 and we pulled up at a stop light and the youg kids next to us said cool car and my mom yelled back to them that she bought it for me. They got a laugh out of it. I really did pay for it but it was a fun time. And yes I drive to fast and this car (sidepipes sure is loud). In any case I think we all may be in the passenger seat someday letting our kids give us that ride. It goes full circle.

59er

Paul,

Don't assume that she doesn't remember the experience.

When spending some time with my dad a few days before he passed away he could barely speak and most everyone felt that it was a waste of time even talking to him but I just talked of good times that we had spent together and was mentioning a time where he had slipped off a pier whilst we were fishing and all of a sudden he said "no, that wasn't me, it was the other bloke" and I then recalled that it was indeed another guy that was staying with us at the time. So his memory was better than mine.

The thing about altziemers (or however it's spelt) is that it's a bit like changing the channel on your TV, even when your watching and can only see one channel, the others are still there.

So even if your mom doesn't talk to you about the day, chances are she thinks about it at other times.

Glad you had the time together.

Mark.

Paul L

Thanks for your kind words. The TV analogy is a great one.

bcwaller

I took my grandmother for a ride in my car when she was about that age. She lived near Downtown LA, so the nearest freeway onramp was one of the really old ones on the 110 that is basically a stop sign with the merge a few car lengths up. My only choice was tp punch it and do a max acceleration run!

Like you, I think she liked it...

IMA Z06

Three thumbs up for Moms & Vettes....................

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

allanb63roadster

We just lost my Mother in January to lung cancer and alzheimers. She never liked to ride in my Vette, but she did enjoy a couple rides in my wife's Cavalier Z-24 convertible with the top down, even some with me driving.

You have to do things for the people you love while they're with us, and you have to believe that it does matter to them. Sometimes they can't express it, but I really believe it does matter to them, and they will remember it. It might not be right away and it might not be while you're with them, but they'll remember it sometime, so keep trying.

Paul L

I hear you! (And mysteriously the pic is now up??) Obviously I am not of a tender age myself. But that day was an impulse that I will never regret. And I truly believe - actually I know - that older people love attention and do not wish to be left alone, even in professional care. They reach out for Family. And in whatever shape or form they do remember.

The Corvette is now gone for the winter but the memory remains. Thanks to all for your patience in listening to this O/T thread. That is is very much appreciated!

Van Steel

That's a wonderful story - even if she doesn't remember it later, you always will.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:iagree: Great story.

Paul L

Nice to see a vendor express that sentiment....

Kid_Again

what a wonderful story, remember this when you need the strength to carry on in the future

Tom/99

:cool: :thumbs:

lager99

Great story! :thumbs:

Viet Nam Vett

An........ Atta..Boy For You ...Way To Go..!! :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

mikes64

Great story and I am sure everyone agrees. I had my mother decide
to ride with me to the lake in the 64 instead of her comfortable cadillac.
She had a blast. Also said it smelled like gas and was loud and hot.
She just passed away recently and I would have loved to have a picture
of her in the car.

Thanks!