May Bells

Maiglöckchen (little May bells) is the German name for lily of the valley. 
I am happy to have established a plant of this old favourite of my mother’s in our own garden, where it has flowered for a few years now.

Today’s visit to my mother was a bit of a shock for me. T, the elderly Polish carer, has been here for a week now, and struggles a lot. E.g., she avoids using the dishwasher, and keeps the lights on all the time in the kitchen, just because she can’t remember how to switch them on and off - despite having been shown several times. 

It’s mostly Frau G, my mother‘s former carer, who manages the household now - staying many hours every day, which we have to pay for extra, of course. I will also need to go there more often and help with chores, or make sure that my mother gets her medication on time. 

So, this May is going to be a very difficult and expensive one, and I am feeling disheartened today.