“Well, Mary Lou………..!”

As my sweet daughter-in-law, Margo, says, “That’s what women do…..they catch up.” That is exactly what happened this morning when Mary Lou, my mother’s long-time (Since 1946, to be exact) friend from Amarillo, went to see her. Mary Lou said she had not seen my mother since we moved her to a memory loss center soon after Hurricane Ike. Mary Lou was here for a brief time last Christmas right after her husband, Joe, died; but, for “a good ole visit,” as my mother would say, it has been over two years. When we walked into the room, my mother was sitting in a wheelchair. I have never seen my mother in a wheelchair and it took me back. I was glad that I had Mary Lou and her daughter, Shirley, with me. But the sweetest moment came when Mother looked up and immediately said, “Well, Mary Lou!” Mother recognized her without any prompting. It was straight from the heart and the conversation was peppered with “remember when” memories. Here is what I took away (bullet points in honor of my son-in-law, Sam.)

• Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. Today was golden.

• Your mind can retrieve pleasant memories …. make some.

• Friends accompany you through the tough times and the wonderful times in life.

• In spite of all the old age layers, my mom is still there.

• When we left, Mother seemed to be getting tired and more confused. She asked me if I thought that it would be best if she just stayed there. I agreed and then she looked at Mary Lou and said, “I wish you could come back every day.” Find a friend and tell her you love her.

• Friends can sometimes do what family can’t at the moment. Here’s the picture that this professional photographer took with my I Phone. I hate to tell the grandchildren and great grandchildren but Mary Lou managed to win the best smile producer award. Way to go, Mary Lou! You have given me a gift. I love you, Mother’s best friend.