Going out to my birthday lunch yesterday with Mom, my sister, and her family made me realize something important. I continue to have a difficult time seeing Mom eat. The effects of her stroke cause her to forget how to use utensils. She eats a lot with her fingers. I need assistance, too, with cutting my food and sweetening my iced tea. My sister had double duty. Once I'm set, though, I can handle feeding myself pretty well and neatly. Mom, however, needs reminders and help throughout the meal. She still tries to help me, though. I thought about all of the years we ate out together. I don't think I ever embarrassed her, and if I did, she never expressed it. Now, it's my turn. Her difficulties can never cause me embarrassment. If she enjoys the meal (and she did), that's all that matters. The noodles on the floor were her evidence!