Miss Tickle

years ago when Skaterina was conflicted over care for her mother

she carried a lot of guilt for having committed her mom to an asylum

(booby hatch, said mama) when she was 18

Skaterina had a summer job in a psychiatric hospital, saw patients

who had suffered through electric shock

she said absolutely no to shock treatments for her mother

later when they "cd do nothing with her" she relented

she never got over the guilt and sadness and torment

further her mama was a tough case to begin with

she had epileptic seizures and wonky drugs to control them

basically she had become a drug addict with severe personality

disorders / it was the 50's and not too much known about it all

soooo

when age and dimentia came up

Skaterina was ill prepared for care of her mama

Darling Daughter (here comes the "stray thought")

told her :

I am not going to take care of you, if that helps you decide

oh

oh, ok

therefore

the care and compassion and understanding and love that her daughter

now reveal to her is something of a shock and a surprise

DD has always written on b.day cards that she is the best mother ever

on her 80th she gave tribute to her always getting her lunch ready and

cutting off the crusts through any hangover !

bc of the two separate decades of drinking she always felt that

DD was just kind of putting up with her

lately there has been a change

DD really did say it was an honor to care for her

when Skaterina apologized for being a burden

DD really is the most elegant of caregivers

if "elegant" seems an odd description for the care

well

let's put it this way

her daughter's attention and care have been truly things of beauty

Skaterina is so touched and grateful there are no words to use

except to say she feels so Beloved

thanks, Kaki, my darling daughter