The Pillows

Nana exhibits many repetitive behaviors. The occupy her and seem to give her a sense of purpose and a sense of accomplishment. Last night, DH was amused to no end at the pillow fiasco.

We need to limit Nana's items. She hoards and hides. She gets overwhelmed by needing to go through  paper work or folding clothes or itemizing belongings. As we joined her for some television time and the Patriots game, we presumed as usual, she might have a little cat-nap in her recliner. The fireplace was at her comfort level, hot enough that DH was in shorts. The cat-nap didn't happen. The pillow placement, and replacement, and replacement, and replacement did.

Nan sleeps on the pullout sofa in the living room. She can't manage stairs, so this was our only alternative. We've replaced the mattress, and we leave it open and made so she sees it regularly. The couch has a bunch of matching throw pillow, plus she has a couple of regular pillows with the bedding.

As she was sitting there drinking her coffee, DH decided to try out the new mattress--memory foam with gel inserts placed on top of the regular one. Quite cozy, by his report. As he is wont to do, he was crooked sideways and set a few pillows askew as he tried it out. After he got up, Nana started. The pillows weren't right. She redid the pillows but then had to unfold the comforter. It didn't fit her fancy to have the top part of the comforter folded. The blanket has a different design top and bottom to change up decor if desired. She either only likes to see one design or she must not like the fold-down. Then, because she had to move a couple of pillows to adjust the blanket, the pillows had to be placed just so. Back to the recliner. Not right. Back up moving the pillows, this time matching some styles or sizes. The regular bed pillows were forgotten as they were relegated to the middle of the bed. Back to the recliner. Noticed the bed pillows. Reposition all the pillows. Retuck the bed sheet. Reposition the pillows. Back to the recliner. Oops. Back to the pillows, taking the bed pillows off and placed to the side. Honestly, this went on for at least 40 minutes. Now, DH and his mom have a great sense of humor when dealing with each other. They've always managed to get a chuckle while picking on each other, Nana giving as much as she gets. DH is laughing, asking if the pillows are okay yet, only to be told that it is her job to make sure they are okay for me--not once hearing my continued rebuttals that it doesn't matter to me, but what ever makes her comfortable.

This behavior is so unlike the woman I remember. I keep asking myself why/how. What is she seeing when they are placed? Is her mind soothed by the organization action or the final (almost uniform) placement? Is it a task she thinks of once that just gets relooped like a skipping record player?