Visiting with Eddie

  We stopped by Nana's on Wednesday, so that Ed could visit with his grandmother.  I warned him that she had deteriorated a bit since Christmas-- she may or may not recognize him, and he may not even react to seeing him at all.  He understood.
  We entered the unit and were greeted by Jessie, another one of the residents.  Arms outstretched, she reached towards us to say hello.  I smiled and reached towards her for a hug.  She tickled me under my arms and laughed. "You've always loved when I do that!"  I then received a kiss and a hug; then she played with my messy, curly hair.  She saw Eddie next.  "Oooooo"..... She gave him a hug and pulled his beard. "You are good looking!" She returned her attention to my hair.
  "This hair is beautiful.  You are beautiful!," she said, then turned back to Ed.
  "Now you-- you are good looking.  And that is very nice too."  Ha!
  We walked back towards the community room and found Nana doing yoga with many others.  She didn't see us as she followed the directions of the yoga instructor on the video.  We watched for a few minutes, not wanting to interrupt the class.  Nana followed about 50% of the exercises.  I noticed how thin her legs had become-- Mom had always been an athlete, whether playing softball as a teen, tennis as a Mom, or hiking with my father in South Carolina during retirement. Muscle tone is now deteriorating.  During a short break, I took the seat next to her and said hello.  She patted my hand and absently said hello.  "Hi Mom."  I said, "Do you see the fellow over there?"  She looked up and saw Ed, who waved to her and smiled.  She smiled back and said to me, "Clemson. He must be related to you!"  I agreed, and told her that he was Eddie, her grandson.  Ed came over, gave her a kiss, and sat in the chair next to her. I left the room to fill her medications and returned 5 minutes later.
  As I entered the room, Nana's face lit up and she opened her arms.  "Heyyyyyy, you're here!"  I received a big, healthy Mom hug.  As we left, Ed also received a big hug from his grandmother.  Did she know who he was? Maybe not.  But she did know that she loves him, and he loves her. And that's the most important thing of all.