My Birthday, Wow

April 22 was my birthday!  Yea me.  What a day.  I had all these plans but as you know life is what happens while you are making plans.  LOL.  My mom who is in her 70's decided she wanted to take me shopping for my birthday and buy me fabric.  Hmmm go with my original plans or go shopping for fabric.  Hard choice.  ;)  Well I decided to go to the fabric shop.  It started out as just that.  I wanted to take her to my favorite quilt shop which is in Epherta, PA about 45 minutes away.  Now you must understand Mom is not in the best of health.  As many of you in my age group are experiencing with our parents.  They have failing eye sight, loss of hearing and in Mom's case she needs a walker to get around also.  This shop is in the basement of a brick ranch house surrounded by farm land in Lancaster County.  There are stairs to navigate plus the drive.  Mom decided she could not make the stairs & where ever we go I would need to take a chair for her to sit on.   I thought we could make this a short shopping trip and then I could still have the rest of the day for myself.   Next Mom decided she would take me to lunch.  And of course after I would take her to the grocery store since she was totally out of food.  (OK my mother has never been out of food, not ever.)  I knew this would be 3 + hours alone at the grocery store but I agreed to take her.  Could it have been guilt???  I called her in the Am after I got up.  She needed 2 hours to get dress & take her meds.  I picked her up at 11 Am and off we were.   Mom asked me where I wanted to eat.  I was ready for this question, I played this game before.  I named 4 resturants, 1 a Chinese rest. the 2nd a japanese rest. the third was Panara's Bread and last pizza.  All places I like a lot.  Mom had an excuse for all of them and named a rest. she knows I do not like.  She named another and I caved.  Knowing it was easier & I was not going to get my way.  So what it's my birthday, let her have it.  I could see the 4 hour trip to the grocery store looming in my future.  So we went to her rest. and split the salad she wanted and 1 crab cake I wanted.  

Next to a fabric store I do not like because the quality is poor.  they are a large fabric store all over the US I think.  You probably know who I mean.  Right away she wanted me to take her in the back to the knitting section.  I sent her on her way and tried to hide in the cotton greens and think of the next few quilts I was creating.  Mom called me as though I was a 6 year old and like a good daughter I yelled back as I walked to her.  She wanted me to carry her yarn 7 skeins in all.  When asked what she was making she told me she had no idea she just had to have beautiful yarn around her.  I smiled, just like a quilter.  Next we went to my fabric.  I was trying to quickly choose bolts and tally the money.  I knew I would not have enough time but I worked as quickly as I could.  Mom wanted to watch me she said.  I looked at all the cottons narrowing my choices.  Mom had suggestions.  I tried to stay focused since I knew I had little time.  She wanted to help and I patiently let her.  (Did I mention patience is a virtue I struggle with on a regular basis?)  Don't get me wrong I love my mom.  I definately have one of the better ones.  But I take my birthday seriously.  LOL  Mom taught me that.  I quickly chose bolts, had them cut and went up to pay as Mom struggled with her walker and off we went on the next adventure.  I was a little sad but determined to make it a good day.  

Next we  went to Starbucks Coffee shop.  I got my favorite which is  a Frapachino.  A frozen coffee drink to die for.  Try it, uuummmm.  Sitting there drinking coffee and talking mom was extremely happy.  The beaming smile told me all i needed to know.   It was her day and I was the one that gave it to her.   That made me feel good too.  Her life is in the later stages and she is afraid.  Sometimes you can see it on her face.  If I can do this simple thing for her so be it.  I love her and she loves me.  

Tackling the Giant grocery store was up next.  At the 3 hour mark I decided to stop looking at the time.  My day was just about gone.  I will choose another and pretend it was mine.  Maybe even tomorrow....  Yees tomorrow I am going to the first meeting Quilt Study Group in Lancaster.   I can't wait.