Involving Mom in My Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing

My elderly mother lives with us and is virtually home bound.  We purchased this house with her in mind because it has a mother-in-law suite (fancy words for two little connecting rooms and a bath).  At that time she could no longer cook or drive but otherwise could care for herself.  This has changed greatly.

Each day she seems weaker and more confused.  She never receives visitors and rarely does mail arrive for her.   Finding things to keep her interested is a challenge because of the confusion and weakness.

I always keep her abreast of what I am doing with my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  Since it is all in the basement and she can't go down the stairs she can't see what I am doing.  Each time I sew a dress or apron I take it for her to see.  I kept wishing she could help me sew somehow, as she sewed much in her younger
years.  But that is not going to happen, I have to admit that.  So I thought I could let her choose the long sleeve, layering t-shirt to go with each dress.

Choices of shirts to match to dress.

I left several of the shirts and two dresses with her.  Several days passed and she would move them around her rooms and look at them but couldn't understand what she was to do with them.  Today I decided I'd work along side her.  I would give her the box of dresses and box of shirts and walk her thru choosing a dress and matching a shirt.  She removed the packaging and tags and  I would then take them and add a pair of panties, fold them all and squeeze them into a sandwich zipper bag.

Dress, shirt and panties squeezed into sandwich bags.

Even this was confusing to her--decisions come hard.  Perhaps just removing packaging from pens and pencils would be easier and more enjoyable for her  But we had an hour together and she got to handle the pretty dresses and see them with the matching shirts.  I hope it gave her another nice memory and sense of purpose in helping others.

I'm determined to help her feel useful and needed and find enjoyment in her long days.

Update:  I've shared another post of my daughter and mom packing soap.  You can see it here:  Generations Working Together Packing Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.