Before I went down to clean this morning, I got a voicemail from the daughter. She was relaying her Mothers, who is still in the hospital. Among other things, I am to change the sheets on her bed. "Mom would like you to use the PURPLE SHEETS please. I don’t’ see what difference the color of sheets make but she said you would get it.” Ah . . . . . yes . . . . . I do get it. You see, "Mom" is a character – so we relate. Her husband of 62 years still calls her Precious – for good reason I say. Mom likes color. Mom likes mysteries, adventures and fun. Mom doesn't care a whole lot what other people think about her. Mom dances her own dance. And Mom likes HATS! She has stacks of them - on shelves, dressers and side boards. Wide brimmed, narrow brimmed, Summer time hats, hats for Spring, hats for Winter, ball caps bearing every possible form of decoration, berets with pins, fuzzy fury hats and more! They are playful, whimsical, functional, delicate, in your face, or make a statement. Her hats are Razzle Dazzle - like HER. She still does her nails and gets pedicures and makes her husband get pedicures too! Mom is a woman every bit as bright and colorful, bold and delicate as her hats. Mom has FLARE!
So . . . . I put those "in your face purple" sheets on her bed, found her favorite sunset with palm trees pillow cases (complimenting the purple of course) and put them on her pillows - she likes her cases doubled please, and I smiled to myself knowing she will smile and her spirits lift when she is greeted by the colorfulness of her bed.