The work goes on if the pace slows.

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We are wearying quickly. The heat is getting to us. And the work is nearly done. We have one room and some outdoor work left and more than a week to go. A little slower pace is good. What we have done is amazing. She has done the organizational aspect and a lot of the work. I have been muscle, height, and auxiliary functionary. Oh, and technical specialist. Women are great at some things, some things are simply outside of their area. I will grant that, for a woman and even among some men, my mother is not a slouch in mechanical. I have some natural talents though, which allow me to simply know, somehow, how to solve some problems. It has been good working with her. This has been some of the most successful work we have colluded upon.

Today I was able to do little things that were on my list along with a few things on her list. I tried to be more available for her demands, but as the work nears completion, I saw the opportunity to hit the things I know and wanted. She always has things for me to do, and sometimes her list is on my list, so it is easier. I like to do jobs I know and have been thinking about. My mind seems to set those jobs up so I simply do them by the time I get to them. Some good news. The windows I will need to replace have gone from 6 or 8 or something... down to one. After cleaning them and looking at the rest I realize they are indeed double pained and well placed and set. The one I need to replace is in the downstairs spare bedroom. It is that multi-slatted jobby. We were, finally, able to open it. When she started insisting it be opened (and working toward that), I decided to look the thing over a bit more closely and was able to remove a few literal and virtual problems, while she was able to get the mechanism to work. So, she has a little fresh air in there tonight. And, I now know how to make that work. I guess I just did not believe it would or could work... pessimism is not a great friend.

She, I think, is a bit surprised that I have been staying up whole days, been active for the whole periods (if still slow), and taking the initiative. She has not seen this for years, decades. I am moving quickly enough that she is not frustrated and she has been being patient enough with her requests and pushing that I have not been getting angry. Good thing too, I know how close my life is to failing. A couple of severe high blood pressure spikes really could see some serious damage or death. What has happened here has been perfect though.

I have been working, sometimes hard. I have been in the heat, using my muscles and mind, and pushing the edges of my day. I have to pace it, and do. I do not think I could keep this up indefinitely, not yet. But that is a goal. I have already been thinking about what to do when she leaves. As I said, we will work on a plan before she goes. Jobs yet to do, both inexpensive and the bigger projects. As well, I would like to get a list of cleaning chores I can shoot at. For example, cleaning the bathrooms, which she suggests I do every two weeks (minimally). I would like to get a list of her recommendations, a calender just for those, and begin checking off things so I may track those. Yes, I wish to change, and to live. Really, I think I can.

For you mothers out there... understand, your children will always need you. You may go through some very tough times. But once they mature, have need, or simply miss you, life will get good. The bounty my mother is reaping now, from two rascal sons, is more than she could ever have hoped to reap... perhaps. She certainly went through some dry times and some rough times. Just stay the course and love those rogues and scalawags of children and it will happen. And yes, working hard for your children is a reaping... oddly. Something special only parents can understand and perhaps beyond that mother's can feel like no other. Do not worry about mistakes or perceived mistakes. Get them to adult and wait, if need be.

Good night. I will be sending out a special prayer for mother's and their sufferings, joys, work, and play tonight. You are a special people.