Dad's Christmas

This week, Dad enjoyed some Christmas caroling at the care center, he came to our big Christmas Eve celebration and then had a quiet Christmas Day.



The staff at the center told Martha that on one day last week, three different groups came to the care facility to sing to the residents. Apparently, some of the singers commented on how many of the carols Dad knew--Mom's legacy to Dad and to all her children.



On another day, I brought the teens from the Juvenile Justice facility where I volunteer to sing at the care center. Dad got teary because the singing made him think of Mom.



Martha arranged for Dad to come to our family Christmas Eve celebration--held at the church near Dad's house because we were having such a crowd. I'm not sure what the final count was--maybe 36 people.



The staff at the care center got Dad dressed and helped Martha get him into the car. Family members helped get him out of the car and into the church. He seemed to enjoy the food and ate a lot of "befores," including some pickled herring. He also ate some of the traditional Swedish "dip," gravy with roast beef and sausage that's eaten with heavy bread soaked in the gravy.



Dad even had some rice pudding for dessert! Not usually his favorite dish, but he finished off a bowl of it.



Dad was quiet, but enjoyed a number of short conversations with family members during the evening. We were all glad Dad was able to be there.



On Christmas Day when I visited Dad, he was tired--not surprisingly. I had brought a tape player and his favorite recording of Pride and Prejudice to listen to. Dad chuckled at the first few witty lines, but I wasn't sure that he wasn't just taking his cue from me; then he closed his eyes and went to sleep. I didn't know if Dad was just tired or if he's moving a little further away from us, something that's hard to face.



Today my brothers, Alan and John, visited Dad together. Alan said Dad seemed fairly engaged. He was sitting up in bed, eating breakfast when they arrived. The aide said he'd picked hot cereal to eat. He also had yogurt and juice. The aide comments that if they bring too much food, he won’t eat anything, but if they bring him less, he eats.



Alan said that Dad didn’t say much, but he chuckled at the funny stories.



As always we appreciate your visits to Dad, your interest in him, and your love for him.