Oh Maggie, it sounds like you made it such a fun outing for her & for you both in the process. thanks for the report. I am sure it hurts you to see "young vibrant" Anne relegated to an assisted living facility. We do what we have to do but it is always sad.
Nice you could go down memeory lane with her.
Oh, I went ten steps better than that, Dolly!
Part of my absence of late was because I was finalizing a 'Special Project' I began a year ago for her, and did not complete until the past week, sorting out things to incorporate, and working with photographs and graphics, etc.
I had long ago purchased a neat lap table tray with a raised dark green wooden border, and planned to fill it with reminders of our long life together.
It took many hours to sort through decades of photographs to select what I wanted to include - of us at different ages, of/with parents, grandparents, other (now deceased) sister; places we visited traveling going back to our Old Florida Roots - - plus all kinds of private jokes on it, subtle things she *will* and *does* remember!
Fortunately, I have a combination printer/copier/scanner to make everything the right scale - embellished things - and oh, what fun it was creating it!
The tray has a hinged top (secured with a magnetic feature so it doesn't flop open) that is like an ironing board with the ability to prop up the lid at different angles for placing a book or sketch or writing pad on the surface.
The legs fold flat, or can be used as she did, placed on the floor under the table that holds her television set, with legs spread and top angled to display and see 24/7..:)
I also sprayed it 3 times with a preservative, and had glass cut to cover it all - no worry about marring it, soiling it, spilling things on it - place a cup or plate on the glass without concern...
There were poignant photos - color, black and white, sepia - Google graphics - a color print ad of 2-3 years ago for kitty litter in color about partying cats until they hear someone at the door and scatter, innocent as the day is long (was on tv) - and other joke touches, all reminders of The Wonderful Ties That Bind....and will anchor her to reality.
Other things might blur for her, or be repeated countless times in the span of a half hour, but our memories thankfully remain crystal clear in her mind!
Nine years older than I am, she has been my shining example of Love and Caring, and my inspiration...seeing the light shine in her eyes looking at it, and because we were there, was our greatest possible Christmas gift.