That I did always love...

Mama Ellen by the pool.(Picture by Mr. Himself.)

This week I’m on a road trip with Mama Ellen who has Alzheimer’s, and my twin sons with autism and my husband with ADHD.

Yesterday we started our trip by the car breaking down. If you know anything about autism, you can imagine the anxiety that caused the twins.

If you know anything about Alzheimer’s, you can imagine how confused Mama Ellen was.

By the time we got to the hotel last night I had heard these questions at least a couple hundred times from Mama Ellen:

“Where are we going?”

“Why?”

“How much further?”

“Can I go to the bank? I need some money.” (We’d already taken her to the bank.)

“What’s Karla doing? She’s awfully quiet.” (I was trying to read.)

I’m not kidding. For nine hours. Someone with Alzheimer’s doesn’t remember five seconds after asking a question that they’ve asked it.

But Mama Ellen is so sweet, and really funny, too. I’ve got to start writing down the funny stuff.

I am so blessed that Mr. Himself and I have the same sense of humor when it comes to dealing with special people. Sometimes we’d just look at each other and bust out laughing. But by the time we got in our hotel last night, I’d had it. I felt like I needed a padded room. I just wanted to BE BY MYSELF! (I’m a “by myself” kind of person anyway, so this road trip is a challenge!)

We have four more hours to drive today before getting where we’re going.

I wonder what Mama Ellen will ask then?