In trying to ensure my mom feels loved and alive (as she puts it), I try to get her friends together every once in a while. This time it was for a Japanese tea party - that is, her favorite Japanese treats and green tea. It warms my heart that this group of people - including her young next door neighbors - visit her regularly. It's no small feat as my mom's short term memory can be hard to navigate, sometimes she's in a bit of a self-pity mode, etc. She always perks up after their visits and they know that just stopping by gives her joy.