-
Plan
to spend loving, compassionate, quality time with
her.
-
Engage
her in discussions about her past and where she is
now in this stage of her life.
-
If
mom has accessibility to the Internet, send email
greetings, photos, stories and links to special
sites for her to view.
-
Prepare
her favorite meal using her recipe instead of taking
her out to dinner. Yet if she is dreaming of eating
out...go for it!!
-
Make
a special toast to her.
-
Let
her know all the past is in the past and that
forgiveness prevails.
-
Plan
an outing, a picnic, and take a drive to a special
place. If your mom is not able to go for a drive,
create it wherever she resides and reminisce of
wonderful things in the past.
-
If
no other relatives are near by, invite some of your
mother's friends who might be feeling lonely and
have a special celebration and gathering for all to
enjoy.
-
If
your mom isn't allergic to animals, arrange to bring
a pet that she loves to visit her. Check with the
facility if she is in one if this is permitted or
perhaps you can create this outside the actual
building. You can arrange to take pets out from the
local shelter.
-
Sit
together and go through photo albums.
-
Bring
a small tape player or CD player and play
music...your mom's favorite.
-
Bring
a nice aromatherapy lotion and massage her neck,
hands and feet...this is especially good if she is
in a facility. The healing power of touch is so
important.
-
Watch
one of her favorite movies...rent a TV / VCR if she
is in a facility so that you can spend time viewing
it alone with her in her room.
-
Bring
fresh flowers or a potted plant with blossoms,
especially if she is in a facility.
-
If
she has her own garden, perhaps you can get out
there and do some planting together.
-
Let
your imagination and creative juices flow to give
your mom the truly special day she deserves.
-
If
you are harboring resentment, guilt or even anger
towards her, now is the time to let go, forgive,
heal and open to love. Love, after all is the
greatest gift we can give from ourselves.
