Gone In 60 Seconds

Contrary to the title of this post...no, my car was not stolen. But my parent's visit is already over and done with. It seems that they had just gotten here and then they were gone. I work myself up into such an emotional frenzy every time they visit (or I go there) and then everything is wonderful after that first half hour and I am again "their child" for a little while. The big "mental upheaval" for me this year is the fact that my mother now uses a cane. OK, I worked in the geriatric ward of a hospital for over 6 years and maybe a million or so people in the world use a cane, but this is my mother. I don't know why I take these things so hard. She showed off the cane for about 20 minutes and then it never reappeared from the trunk of their car the rest of the weekend. She even took a lap or two around my not-too-level yard to inspect my flower beds. Then something happened that really threw me. Those of you who know my somewhat dysfunctional relationship with my family will understand this one. As we were taking a lap around the house my mother was holding my hand. Nothing earth-shattering there, you say? It didn't really hit me until later in the evening after my parents had returned to their hotel. I hadn't held my mother's hand since I was about 7 years old! Was I happy, was I sad? I am still working that one out.

My parents enjoyed their visit overall and I was very sad to see them go on Sunday evening. While I was waiting for them to arrive on Thursday afternoon I started and finished the cute little ornament "Good Cheer" by Goode Huswife. No sooner had I stitched the backing on, the little rustic cord, stuffed it and showed it to my mother did she have it in her hand and then into her purse it went. "Perfect on a gift wine bottle", she said. Gone in 60 seconds! She also pocketed two cone shaped santas stitched on plaid Aida and a little freebie Quaker heart ornament in Treadworx "Victorian Christmas" floss. I am overjoyed that she admired all my needlework. My dad on the other hand was a huge fan of my cooking. I made one of his favorites, Eggplant Parmigiana. My mother is not the cook she used to be. I think the increasing lack of mobility and the arthitis in her hands makes her opt for quick and simple meals. "We ate like kings", was his comment to me. Very rare are the compliments from my father so I treasure every one.

We spent our days stitching(me), knitting(mom) and reading(dad). When I say days I mean 7 to 8 hours per day. I got some serious cross-stitching in! Elliot became the newest favored cat.He made the rounds of everyone's lap, much like Alix used to do. Bud even stuck around for a little while to sit with my dad.

A lovely four days that went by far too quickly.