2008 brings with it the promise of “new” – new resolutions, new opportunities, new challenges and new experiences.  New is good – for it keeps complacence at bay and ensures that 2008 will not be a rerun of  2007.  Fortunately, this writer is not on strike and doesn’t need to portray her life as a reality TV episode! 

But reality is right around the corner and with it comes the knowledge that my Mother is “slipping.”  Her confusion abounds about where she lives, what day it is and whether she has spoken to either my sister or me on any given day.  This we have taken in stride, but other cognitive changes, while relatively innocent, are concerning.   Over Christmas, my Mother drifted in and out of a “second childhood.”  It began when we rescued a cute Christmas Teddy Bear from CVS because my Mother thought it looked lonely.  The bear journeyed home with us and became part of the family.  The bear sat on the couch and watched TV, joined us at the dinner table and slept in the guestroom.  My Mother was always very aware of the bear’s whereabouts and became anxious when “Teddy” was not in sight.  It was sweet and her concern for the bear was quite real.  So, although I feel sad at times that my incredibly bright Mother can no longer find joy in reading, bridge and other intellectual pursuits, I feel great when I realize that she still has the same heart – one that is capable of making a new friend named “Teddy” and welcoming him into our family.