Mercede, while my most annoying child (trust me, she is, lol) is also the one that doesn't take others for granted. Mercede loves to be around other people that she can help. Mercede has fed the sick and the dying and also cared for them. She has laid beside her greatgrandmother (whom had colon cancer) and rubbed her head and spoken softly (which is a feat , if you know Mercede) to her during her Grandmothers last days. She will often tell you about feeding her Aunt Mary (whom passed of Alzheimers last year) and what her Aunt didn't like to eat. She will also tell you they are with Jesus now. Mercede had a best bud for years that she liked to sing to and dance with. Her friend had CP and was 20 years older than Mercede. Her friend could not talk but could smile and laugh. She smiled and laughed alot when Mercede was around. Then a year ago her friend passed on, it was very hard for Mercede. But soon there was someone else to take her place. A woman with down syndrome whom also had Alzheimer's. Mercede could make her smile and laugh. There would be a light in her eyes when Mercede was around. A few months ago, Mercede also lost this new buddy. But Mercede moves on, as she knows they are with Jesus now. When Mercede stays with my mom, her favorite thing to do (besides eating potatos) is visiting the nursing home with my mom. When she talks on the phone to my mom she will often asked how someone is that she is worried about. She is also getting frustrated with me, because I keep promising her that I will take her here to visit some church friends in the nursing home and I haven't done it yet. She is also very spiritual. She will often raise her hands in praise in church and also cry when the mood hits her. I don't know how much she understands about God, but it is obvious she feels his presence.At the same time, she can spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e!! At home, she is obsessed with the bathroom and can't stand to have stuff on the sink. Always hiding the handsoap and hand towels. She hides shoes all the time. You can fine one, but not the other. I will find them in my bookcase, out in our fishing boat. It took me a year to find the match to my favorite pair of shoes. She will argue about anything. If I give her something to eat, she will say " I don't want it, I'm full", So I take it away and then she says "Nooooooooooooo, I want to eat!" So I give it back and then it goes on and on this way til I am pulling out my hair. At school she behaves herself, but on the school bus....................oh my. She has a collection of bus tickets. Just a few weeks ago, she choked the bus driver with his seat belt while he was driving. Now she didn't actually choke him, but she did have it pulled around his neck and he couldn't get it off. Course she giggles like crazy thinking it is funny. She also threw his jacket out the bus window. This is one of her favorite bad things to do on the bus, throw things out the window. She is like the character from the "Problem Child" movies, when she gets on the bus. She will be 18 this year and is only 4'5". Since her open heart surgery (mechanical mitral valve put in) she has gained like 10 pounds and now weighs 82 lbs which is fat for her!! lol When we go out to eat, they still give her childrens menu's and "Hey, you can't complain about a cheaper meal". Now her big thing is scratch off lottery tickets. She loves scratching them off. Course she can't buy them for 7 more months. I got to get her an ID cause NO ONE will ever believe she is 18. I can't believe it. I will turn 40 the day she turns 18. Boy I am getting old. lol
