Archive for November 1st, 2007

Our buddies from NS phoned – W hung up and said, “I want to go home.” His exact words. It’s June 2004 – 6pm. I’m still working full time. There was something in his voice that made me call WestJet and book for Sept. We used to fly back every 4 years and he never once used those words.

Later, I was on the Mayo Clinic site and they were answering questions for people. One lady said her Dad always wants to go home. He is home. What’s with that? Then MD said in his present state of mind he is not home – home is where he was raised. Bingo. “I want to go home.”
So happy I booked that trip – we have never been back. Had plans to rent a cottage on the ocean for him in 2006 but the logistics were overwhelming.

When I look at this pic now, I see joy, joy, joy! We were on the South shore. Oh my God, oh my God. It’s an ache for me to look at but sheer joy for him.

We had stopped at a small restaurant for pie and coffee. Tide out, got lots of shells. He was so happy.

Busy in the kitchen when I heard quiet murmurings – a kind of whispering one hears in hospital rooms. My mind blanked for a second – yes, we are alone.

Then it dawned on me – he was sitting alone in the living room talking. I freaked inside and tiptoed to peak around the corner – he looked up and smiled.

Has never happened again (that I have heard).

We have basically 2 bags of chocolate bars left over. Being they have peanuts I can’t indulge – I did that on purpose. I was whining to my bro’ once and he suggested I go eat on the steps of the local hospital if I’m craving PB that badly – good solution, Neil!

Anyway, does anyone have ideas why it was so quiet? I really believe parents are mostly keeping their kids off the streets. I know I would. There are so many private parties that I think “our” kidlets went to them. Not one child – and an elementary school is 4 blocks away. Our neighbor is a Vol. firefighter and they hosted a party for kids at the fire hall.

But it’s a new month – glorious sunshine today and temps around 8 degrees. Bring on winter – and Christmas!

Chef comes home Nov. 11 for a bit – Dad is so excited when it’s mentioned. Brian just called now and Dad said, “Oh, that’s so nice. I didn’t know.” Ah, well, makes him happy each new time he’s told.

Update: A few minutes later I told Dad we should call Mark now to check in. He said, “We just talked to him.”
Anyway, Mark was asking him about the floors, etc. and he was pretty good describing what’s going on.

Life is challenging in that I have to be a bit shy of honest sometimes. My dear man doesn’t want to walk anymore – I feel especially now that it’s important.

Our mailbox is maybe a 5 minute walk from home – not much of a walk but 10 minutes a day.

“Here’s your shoes.”

“Where are we going?”

“To get the mail.” This still works as we used to drive to it on our way to errands.

“Ok.”

Make sure I’m all ready and just open the door and before he knows it, he’s awalkin’.

Purists may disagree with my tactics but I’ve done everything except carry him on a walk and it’s no go. When I walk at the track, he sits in the car and smiles and waves as I go by:) If I ask him to join me for even one lap, he says he’s in the middle of a chapter. Ah, yes, very important stuff.

So we didn’t get one child to our house last night – I made a big sign for the entry door “Children Eaten Here”. Wonder if that scared them away – just kidding, no sign.

Last year we were on a holiday which began Oct. 29th – good idea.

W loves the kids but he was so stressed out that it’s not worth it. We were reading in the front bedroom so we could here the children come up the drive. He continually said it’s not fair Buddy has to be locked up in the bedroom (uh, well, Hon we are, too). Our cat is not allowed outdoors so couldn’t trust him – may bolt if frightened by kids. After a couple hours I was ready to prop the door wide open!

Anyway, at 7pm we went to watch TV, turned the lights out and everyone simmered down.

Did you get many treaters?