When my brother E arrives to help transport them to the town house, my mom is now outraged about the sale. “Prove it” she challenges as my brother is kindly driving and help them pack final items. He quickly learns to not bring up the topic anymore but to provide simple directions and the trips go better.
After three days of travel and moving, E reports that my mom started taking things from the retirement community back to the town house. She’s returning the things she rescued the day before.
She is unable to maintain the memory and has no systems other than her calendar to help her remember. By day four he just sits next to my dad as my mom rummages through the town house with no specific idea of what she wants. All the items they want and need are already at their apartment, but we hoped this would help provide closure.
As frustrating as the process has been, sadness fills all of us linked to the event. My mom is frustrated and angry and does not seem to understand. My brother is tired. The knowledge of the lie we told weighs heavily on our hearts. We need to close down this chapter so we can guide our parents to options that will keep them safe and make the most of each day they are still here with us. Saddened.