Well, two weeks have flown by, and it's time for my report on Dad. This week it consists of my conversation with Dad tonight and an excerpt from my brother Alan's letter--he and his wife Janice have been in Utah, and they visited Dad several times--and at least once with Alan's grandkids who really love their Papa-Daddy. Alan sent some more pictures for me to post.
Dad and I had a nice visit tonight. I told him Jeffrey's fully into his independent stage--he had two melt-downs at supper tonight because food on his fork fell on the floor and because his dad got him out of his high chair--he wanted to do it himself, of course! He's saying all kinds of words now, and Dad laughed when I told him that I'd promised Jeffrey a walk but had to finish something first. Jeffrey stood at the door and pounded on it, saying, "Wa, wa!"
I mentioned to Dad that his 94th birthday is coming up soon (August 5th, to be exact). He said he couldn't believe it and then asked me how old I was. He was amazed that I'm now 56. I told him that John, the youngest of his kids, is now 51. Dad also chuckled when I told him that now that I'm leaving my hair natural--lots of white like my mom's hair--I get offered senior citizen discounts and have to tell people it will be 9 more years before I can collect on them.
I also told Dad I'd be coming to Utah in August--I don't think he'll remember, but he seemed happy to hear it at the time. Like Alan, I think Dad seems to be doing well.
Here's what Alan wrote about Dad:
I actually think my Dad is doing better than before. I don’t think he remembers getting visited for more than a few minutes after someone leaves, but he enjoys the visits, and they are good about getting him up and getting him to eat and be part of things at the center. We had been told that he had fun roasting marshmallows and so we made sure to bring some to the gathering. Not only did he roast a couple with the great-grandkids, but he happily ate a “smore” that we made from one.
They limit him to thickened liquids, but seem to have no other restrictions on his diet and even though they had fed him supper just before we arrived he had watermelon and part of a pulled-pork sandwich, as well as the “smore.” There have been times when he didn’t seem to know who his kids were when they visited, but he seemed to know exactly who I was all three visits. He did ask me how old I was three times in the first visit, and I don’t think he really understands who any of my grandkids are (my guess is that he would enjoy a visit from any group of children equally well).
Here's Dad roasting marshmallows with a couple of Alan's grandchildren and enjoying a smore.
Well, that's all for tonight. Thanks for caring about Dad and letting me know you're reading. Best wishes to all! Alison
What a treat to see a picture of Marshall! Thank you for posting them. I looked for a long time into those eyes, and knew all was well within, and pretty much without, too. What a blessing you all are to him, Alison.
ReplyDeleteA friend's mother is in a assisted living center here; several of the other residents are lucky if they get one short visit a month from a sister or son who lives 30 minutes away.