My mom has been obsessed over the air filter in the heating unit in the garage. The unit is old (if being made in the in 70's make it old) and none of us girls could figure out how to open or change it. Mom is convinced that is what has caused dad to get sick. Today my darling Steve finally figured out the old Lennox system and replaced the filter. Yay! As soon as we told her, she started harping about changing it monthly. Baby steps. I know. Baby steps. I suggested she consider reducing use of chemicals in the house as well -- the lady never met a potpourri, candle, scented soap, etc., she didn't like! In fact, Steve can't stay in the place very long without having to go out for fresh air. But her mind will probably forget this part of the conversation. So that's ok.
Tomorrow Dad has a follow up with the cardiologist and then bloodwork at a separate clinic for his infectious disease doc. Mom has bellyached about how she isn't allowed to go with him so I made sure today to tell her that if her CNA will load her in the van at 1:15, she can go with us. Even though I will have to miss more work than I would like, it will appease her. I realize he is her husband and she wants to know what the doctor says but I have little patience for the silly questions she repeatedly asks or her poor social skills in public. But tomorrow I will be a good daughter. I won't have time to run her home between the 2 appointments and I can't miss half a day of work. So she'll ride with us to the lab, I'll drop dad off and park the van with it still running, to in and check dad in with his lab sheets, then go sit in the van with mom. As soon as he's done will pull up to the door, pick him up, take them home, I'll unload her and get her into the house and then go back to work.
Silly me. I have a broken crown that needs immediate attention. It cracked NY Eve. My dentist said he'll work me in but I can't splurge the time on Monday with everything I am doing for my parents. So maybe I can get him to see my during a lunch break on Tuesday.
Jill and her bf Adam have returned today from Southaven, MS. It looks as those he is completely moved to Fort Smith. Even his dog Gizmo (shitz-on: shitzu and bichon frise) is in town. I'm so glad she is home and has no travel plans for a while. She's her own person but also helps keep me centered when this world around me is spinning out of control. Derek and Gaby called from Peru. They are headed back from her family's beach house to Lima. They return to the U.S. on Tuesday.
That's another grounding I have. A son with a great fiance and who have plans for their future. Her sister Beatriz is coming back with them and will spend 1 weekend with us (next weekend) and 2 weeks in February. She's going to be my guide when I take the students to Peru in May. So this is a great bonding opportunity. It will also be fun for us girls to work on planning a wedding.
And speaking of weddings, the idea of using the bed & breakfast jsut a few hundred yards away from the beach house for our family is out of the questions. The rooms go for $200 US a night! But Gaby's dad Julio thinks that the neighbors with houses on either side of theirs will rent to us. That has me stoked. I'd love to rent both and have plenty of space for the 3 nights we'd be at the beach. In total, that should provide us with enough sleeping capacity for 20 people... and about 6 bathrooms and 2 kitchens and living areas, 2 casitas... and we'd all be together for NY Eve. We could walk to the the beach chapel for church at 7 pm, return for the traditional dinner at 10 and then dance and eat lucky grapes on the terrace at midnight. I imagine such a splendid time for us all.
Let me explain a little more about beach houses... they are what we'd call condos. They are 2 stories with the lower level having a dining room and living room that open onto a paved/stamped/stone terrace. Just down 8 steps or so is the beach. Nothing stands between the bedroom windows upstairs and the waves crashing on the shore. No road. No towering hotels. Nothing.
These are the happy thoughts that help me remember today's challenges are temporary. I pray a miracle would happen that would permit one or both my parents to be healthy enough to travel to Peru with us next December. But if they aren't here, I'll be much happier in a foreign country away from the routine we've had for years as I learn to embrace holidays without my parents. So from a pragmatic view, this is smart.
So back to the real world. Tomorrow is a workday and shuttling parents to doctors. I'm tired just thinking about it. I love my parents immensely and will do what I can to ease their suffering. And God, if you're reading this, please send more lucid and happy moments their way. They are good people who have always played by the rules, worked hard, and cared for others. Please give them a little joy these next few weeks.
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