Update on Dad 3-20-11

Hello, Everyone,

Tonight my update comes from my brother-in-law Bob (Lucy's husband) and from my own conversation with Dad tonight.

Bob reported to me that his visit with Dad last Sunday was short because Dad was so sleepy. But he noted that the week before, "he was much more awake." Bob continues, "I was talking about Alan and Jan going on a mission and that they were selling their cars and renting out their house and that they were thinking about selling their house and moving to Utah after their mission. I said to Dad that Alan has lived in Virginia for a long time--since Dad had retired--and Dad said since before he retired. Pretty amazing sometimes that he can remember some things and other times he can't remember at all."

Tonight when I spoke to Dad, I told him about his new great granddaughter, born last Sunday. I told him her weight (9 lbs. 4 ozs.) and her length (21 3/4"), that she was born one day before Mom's birthday, and that her name, Evelyn is my middle name and Michael's mother's middle name combined. He responded with several of his stock phrases, "Oh my," "how nice," "that's wonderful," so it was hard to tell how much he was following what I was telling him.

Then he said he'd like to see her, so I knew he was aware of what was going on. That made me happy! I told him Christine and Michael would be in Utah in June, so he could see her then. In the meantime, I'm hoping that Bob can print out some pictures of Evelyn to show Dad, so he can see her sooner.

Dad's voice sounded a bit rougher than usual, and I wondered if he was lying down and having a harder time talking that way. He told me with great enthusiasm how great it was to hear my voice--another of his gracious stock comments--but I thought again what a relief it must be for him to speak to someone he knows since he remembers so few people these days.

We each told the other, "I love you" and said our goodbyes. It was a good conversation.

Thanks for reading!

Alison