So my Gram, who's been developing dimensia for the last year or so, mailed me $50 to thank me for giving her rides around since she lost her car earlier this year. I was very surprised to receive the money on the grounds that I did it without expecting any payment or thanks. She's been very difficult to handle on her own and it's been very draining for me to even take her to church and back because among other things, she's tried to get out of the car while it's still moving!
She is also under a lot of stress because she's moving to live in Portland to be near her son. She's told him that we're being mean because she just thinks we want her stuff but a few weeks ago she said she couldn't take it all and asked what furniture my sister and I wanted before she left.
I've always liked her bookcases so I asked for those. My sister and her husband wanted the piano that Gram had received as a gift from her friend, Anne, when she moved to her daughter's home. Last Saturday when I came to get what I'd asked for, she said that I would have to pay for the bookcases because she needs the money. This is a truth to some extent, however, she has not made the same condition to my sister, who's embarrased by the unfairness of the situation. I was lucky two weeks ago to get a set of china from her; she was having a good day but my visit last week was not quite as fortunate.
So you see, it's quite ironic then, that she should send me a fifty dollar bill in the mail as if I'm another debt she's paying off before she leaves. My mom is equally troubled by the gesture but we're trying not to make her feel any more upset than what she's already put herself through. All of this is just a reminder of how fragile my relationship has always been with her and now what's left is being further strained by misunderstanding.
I spent part of the money this morning on a manicure... the rest for lunch money the next couple of days!
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