How can anyone be so insecure and self-centered?

[Guest guest]

Yesterday, I decided to be nice and take my 85 year old nada to a

ladies event (a Christian speaker). As soon as the speaker mentioned

that often our parents have not lived their own lives fully and try

to control their children's lives-my nada tuned- out. She refused to

participate in the interactive part of the program. Afterwards, we

went to lunch with my Sunday School class. My nada has to be the

center of attention or she 'acts up " . She stood up, with her house

key in her hanad and said " it's time to go " . She doesn't drive

anymore so she is dependent upon me to drive. At first I ignored her

and then she got louder. It was embarassing. The ladies (who had

only met her once before-all looked at me to see what my reaction

would be. I finished my meal (slowly) and finished my conversation.

She continued to stand over our table and monopolize the

conversation. She has to tell everyone her age and what a dear,

sweet man her husband was (right, and I'm a fairy princess, too). I

was steaming inside. She complained all the way home about the

speaker, the food and the time. I vow that I will not repeat this

tortue again. Why couldn't I have had a normal mother? Should I be

feeling so guilty over telling her that she is offensive? I am on

only child and she depends upon me to take her to doctor

appointments, manage her finances, etc. The doctor diagnosed her with

senile dementia but I know she has acted like this all my life.