"What's That?"

Used to be Mother and I went for her eye exam. She has glaucoma, macular degeneration and a ripening cataract but blindness in the other eye makes the specialists cautious proceeding.

I wish you could see the sun the way I do Bonnie.

How's it different Mom?

It's like a big white ball with black all around it. And all the lights on the streets and on the ceiling of this building look like shooting stars.

I wonder if there is a little something more in those eye drops.

What's that?

It's a truck backing up.

Why's it making all that racket?

To warn pedestrians it's backing up.

I never heard of that before.

What's that?

My windshield wipers.

Why are they moving so fast?

I can't see out of my window from all the slush splashing on it.

Your Uncle J (Cleanest Car Fanatic ever) would never have a dirty car like you have.

(Gee this is sure fun being with you today Mom. )

I need a new Bible. (I had lent her my large print King James Version of the Bible but she saw that the church's logo on the spine and now she thinks it is too heavy. Or that it has too many things she doesn't recognise.)

We stop at a few book stores to purchase her a new one. Maybe the Bible was at one time the best selling book but according to these book stores not so much now. At last the mother lode. A second hand book store. That's telling too isn't it? I hand her a Catholic Bible. She is shocked that they have other books in their Bible. She can't read the print. (Those drops might be doing that Mom). That one is too heavy. I find her a children's Bible - it's just light and the print is readable. I have her read a few verses. It's good. But then she sees on the spine that it is a Children's Bible.

I can't have that one.

Why not?

Of course.

What's that?

It's my car phone.

Who's that talking.

And that is how the outing went. One question after another. I was reminded of outings with my preschoolers. It didn't feel much different. Maybe that Children's version wasn't completely off.

And then as I drop her off, she starts again.

Why can't I live with you? You don't want me do you?

Why don't you invite me over for dinner? Why don't you and B ever come for dinner with me? I'm so lonesome for you.

I drive away angry at myself for losing my patience. Sad that she really is dwindling. And frustrated that it isn't going to ever be better.