Thursday, August 5, 2010

Catching Up

My dad seems to have recovered from whatever was ailing him.  We don't have a definitive pneumonia vs. bronchitis diagnosis.  If he had a touch of pneumonia, the antibiotic must have killed hit, despite the abbreviated dosage and the unpleasant side effects.  If he didn't ... well, it was an aggressive response to a potentially life-threatening situation.

Today he was reasonably clear-headed and conversational, the first time in several weeks he has been that responsive.

"I got up this morning, paid my bills, and since it was still early, went back to bed."  No, but that's OK.  No reason to argue the point.

"I wonder where my brother Willie is these days."  On being reminded that his brother passed away in 1993, he was very quiet for several minutes.  Then he said, "It's sad that I cannot remember."  He agreed that the important memories are still there -- the memories of growing up together, and time and activities they shared.  "As long as you remember him, Bill still lives,"  I assured him.

"What does 1018 [Kealaolu Avenue] look like now?  Is it being taken care of?"  That's the house in the next block where my parents moved when they married.  I assured him that it has been remodeled and relandscaped, and is looking good.

Then there's the issue of my son and his wife.  It's questionable that their status as a family can survive the current crisis.  Right now they are apart.  I am thankful for those who have taken him in and are able to help him find work and a place to live, as I am not in a position to do that.  One aged but otherwise healthy parent, one dementia parent (albeit in nursing care), and one adult child in crisis are more than this mom can handle at the same time.  Especially when I'm not in my own home.

Give thanks for those who reach out to the ill, the hurting, the lonely.
Don't forget to pray ....