Mother's hands

I want to share with you two very special moments. I hope to describe them in such a way that you can picture yourself being there.

The first moment is in Bible Study at Summer Trace. Imagine her holding one side of a hymnal, with you holding the other, listening to her singing as best she can, aphasia and all, an old hymn she knows well.

The second moment is at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville (where Mom did her stroke rehab) visiting a friend from Summer Trace who is there for stroke rehab now. Imagine her, sitting in one of the hospital's transport chairs, reaching across to tenderly touch the hand of her friend, Pat, saying slowly and deliberately, "I am praying for you."

Hmmm. Praise God for these special gifts in time.
Come visit.
Or write:
Mary Annis
12999 N. Pennsylvania St. #C411
Carmel, IN 46032

Memorial Day Event at Summer Trace

For Memorial Day, Joan and Amy and Kim, in Activities at Summer Trace, arranged for a special speaker to share his amazing stories from the Korean war.

The people in these pictures are the dearest, kindest friends. A joy to get to know and hang out with. They are disguised as "old people" - but don't let that fool you for a minute!!!

Mom likes to sit on the benches in the back (third from left).
She does not use a walker, but many do. Walkers come with so many styles and features to choose from!

Amy is leaning against the wall at the back and Joan is walking towards me. These gals are angels in disguise! They care so deeply for the residents and plan so many quality activities and field trips. They had an Indy 500 party - thus the checkered decor in the background.

Here is Joan, kneeling, and you can see Kim at right.

I am so very thankful for Assisted Living at Summer Trace.

A visit from two special friends

Mom loves dogs and cats. Yesterday she got a visit from a special friend, Jan, and her dog, Libby. Libby has been undergoing treatments at Purdue University for a melanoma cancer on the back of her tongue. Mom was so glad to see Libby doing so well.

Mom suggested Jan leave Libby with her!

Libby wanted to go outside and checked out Mom's "backyard".

It was a little cool out but nice and green here in Indiana.

Visiting Friends in Rehab

Mom and I and another friend, Pat B., from Summer Trace, went up to Riverview Hospital in Noblesville to visit two friends in Rehab there. One was (another) Pat M., from Summer Trace who just had a stroke. Mom and Pat B. are both stroke survivors, so they were anxious to get up there and encourage Pat M.

The other friend we visited was June, a friend of Mom's from PEO, who had just hip replacement surgery. June has been a gem since Mom moved up here from Texas. So we were glad to be an encouragement to her.

Our trip to Noblesville HAD to involve a stop at Culvers. Which was FUN!

Hey, Mom made the Carmel Police Dept. Web site!

Since we finished the Citizen Police Academy, they have added a link on the Carmel Police Department Web site to a slide show the police department created using the photos I took. Mom and Phil are both in the show a LOT! (I am glad I was on the other side of the camera! :-) To view the slide show use this link: http://www.ci.carmel.in.us/CPD/media/Citizens%20Academy%20Spring%202008.wmv If that doesn't work, try viewing the slide show directly from their Web site, by clicking on this link: http://www.ci.carmel.in.us/CPD/citizen_police_academy.htm Once you are on that web page, SCROLL DOWN to locate and click on the link at the BOTTOM of the page that reads "2008 Spring Academy Class" (highlighted in blue). You can view their slide show full screen.

A fabulous Mother's Day with Jan and Scott!

Mom had a fabulous Mother's Day! We were thrilled to have Mom's granddaughter, Jan and her husband, Scott, drive down to celebrate with us! They brought two beautiful orchid corsages for Mom and I. Phil prepared tasty steaks provided by my brother, Chuck, and his wife, Cyndi. Mom also had a beautiful flowering hydrangea plant delivered from my sister, Gail, and her husband, Bill. She also received some very thoughtful cards.

After dinner Jan enjoyed showing her husband some photos I had saved from her childhood.

Jan and Mom enjoyed sharing some memories brought back by photos of Jan with her brothers, Rob and Mike.

Jan's mother, my sister, Sarah, passed away in 2000.

Before Jan and Scott headed home we had a game of Kings-in-the-Corner:

And photos by the fireplace:

Phil and Scott coaxed a big smile out of Mom:

Then we got a shot of everyone:

One of the childhood pics was of Betsy, Jan and Phil a few years back. I don't think we've changed a bit, do you?

Carmel Citizens Police Academy Graduation

May 12th was our graduation from the Carmel Police Dept. Citizens Academy. What a great class this has been. Mom has won over the Carmel Police Department!


Mom couldn't wait to show her personalized t-shirt and graduation plaque to the nurses as soon as we got back to Summer Trace.


T-shirt has her name on it, too!

Phil and I also graduated, so we have matching plaques and t-shirts.

Carter's Toy Museum, Antiques, & Ice Cream

May 8th Mom and I enjoyed a Summer Trace trip to "Carter's Toy Museum, Antiques, and Ice Cream Parlor" on Main St. in Zionsville, IN created by the Carter Van Lines family. Mr. Carter gave us a personal tour! We enjoyed the priceless antiques in the Gift Shop on the main floor, the amazing collection of antique toys on the top floor, and the entertaining collection of operational riding toys in the basement, including bumper cars! Not to mention lunch and dessert in the Ice Cream Parlor featuring an animated band above the juke box! www.antiquetoymuseum.com

Last Citizens Police Academy Class

We are all sad to see the Carmel Citizens Police Academy Class come to a close. We had our last class May 5. (Graduation is May 12.) During this last class we learned about traffic stops.