WOW. What a great visit I had with Mom on the phone today. She was upbeat and positive for the first time since she has been at Corinthians. She actually told me she is happy. ( OK Teresa, happy dance again.) All of the people there love her and she has made alot of friends. I tell her how great that is and that I knew it would only be a matter of time before that would happen.

She then wanted to let me know about her visit with Mike yesterday. She tells me I should get to know him. I remind her again, gently, that I do know Mike as he is my brother. Then she asks me if I know that he came to see her yesterday and brought groceries. I tell her I do know as she had told me yesterday when I talked with her. She asks me if I know that he brought her LIGHT BULBS- 50, 75, 100 watts; soft, medium and bright, just like she likes. How does he know that's what she likes. I tell her he knows because he is her son and knows what she likes. She found it " amazing, just amazing. " Good job on the lightbulbs, Mike. Who knew it would mean so much to her?

She told me about all of the people at Corinthians who commented on her visitor; what a handsome man and he looks like you. (Sorry Mike, but I am told that I look like her too. Better than being told we act like her, huh?) She says how handsome he is and how good he is to her and I agree that he is he is handsome and very good to her.

She tells me once again about Teresa. She seems to remember this time that I do know Teresa. We have talked about her enough that I think it has finally sunk in that I do in fact know her. She tells me how good she is to her. I tell her that I know, Teresa has been really great. Mom says she buys her things, she buys her too much. She doesn't know why Teresa gets her so much stuff. But she does acknowledge the fact that she appreciates what Teresa does for her and I do know that at this point Mom considers Teresa her best friend... and I think, savior.

Just an aside here. If Mom had any idea what a total and complete bitch she has always been where Teresa is concerned, she would be begging for her forgiveness. Literally, on knees begging. But T being T, Mom doesn't need to. There is certainly a very special place in heaven for people like Teresa.

I am looking forward to a pleasant visit tomorrow after talking with Mom today. I feel so much better about how she is feeling. I hope to meet some of her new friends and see if there really is a new attitude.

Please know that I am not kidding myself thinking this is a major step forward. It is a baby step in hoping against all hope that she may be able to find some happiness or just a sense of calm that she is where she needs to be and to stay a little longer.