My Mother has always been a sun worshipper. So much so, that providing outdoor space for her to sit and bask in sunlight is critical to her well being. As a result once she moved in with us, I made sure that we created a number of places that provided direct sun and also shade, so mom could enjoy both at her leisure.

So it was not surprising that is where I found her late in the afternoon, sitting in the full sun, feet on the ottoman with her pant legs rolled up, barefoot, eyes closed, soaking up the California rays. I sat a short distance from mom so as not to disturb her, in case she were sleeping, and started working on my laptop.

As is common during the month of May, in coastal Southern California, a marine layer will develop overnight, burn off in the early afternoon and appear again a few hours later as the sun  starts to make its way towards setting.  So right on cue, mom found herself sitting under the gathering clouds as they attempted to put an end to the sunny afternoon she was appreciating.

I heard Mom start talking, so I looked up from my work only to observe her gazing up into the sky. She was pointing towards the clouds as they shaped and shifted and exclaimed, “Look at that! Look at all the action going on up there.” She wore a big smile and said, “Isn’t that something!” I looked to the sky to see what all the fuss was about and I have to confess, found myself caught up in her delight.

It was a battle for supremacy, the clouds would build and move trying to take over the sky as the sun continued to warm the air in a final attempt to shine through. Mom made it endearing as she  cheered the sun on with shouts of encouragement. As she watched the clouds move across the sun she would say “Come on, you can do it” then witness the sun peak back out and shout “Yeah, you did it! Thank you” and clap softly with delight. Mom would close her eyes and rest her head back until the next shadow of cloud covered her face and then her solar inspirations would start all over again.

Rare are true delightful moments that her dementia brings into our lives, but occasions like these are surely examples of them. Who knows why her mind finds wonder in experiences mom might have once thought pedestrian. But on this day I was grateful to witness the wonder through her eyes.

As expected the sun began to lose its strength  and the clouds rolled into a blanket of gray to end the action. All the while with mom talking to the sun and  thanking it for every last ray and shine.