Oct 11, 2013
Moments with my Dad
The four days with my Dad passed in a blur. I never recorded our time @ Costco where he finally figured how to use his new hearing aid, nor our trip to the bank to open a safety deposit box, nor the multitude of stops here and there for necessary purchases and about 10 other misc. stops over those days. Mostly Dad sat in his van while I ran in and did the leg work.
We managed to go through all the boxes holding special memories. Things like Mom's grade school report cards, her University of Alberta graduating certificates and some papers, tons and tons of research materials. Most special where the newspaper cut outs that she had made notes on....."we must travel here", " I must buy this book", " we would lover listening to this music" plus she had cut out articles over 30 years ago about how she did not want to be kept in a nursing home. It was a very emotional experience. I learnt so much about the great woman that she was. We went thru telegrams from decades ago between her parents and very old photos and other memories. It was a heart wrenching four days.
I made a point of feeding Dad some great meals. I think I spoilt both him and the cat.
Angel was Mom's girl but she quickly become Dad's best girl.
I relentlessly went thru paperwork and saved Dad money here and there. But then I just as quickly spent it by making him sign up for a neck pendant emergency call system. If he wears it then the rest of us can relax and not worry about him living on his own.
My biggest project was the purchase of 20 feet of TV cable and a staple gun.
Colin assured me that I was capable of the task. Maybe I am just a weakling but I needed 2 hands to pull the trigger of the staple gun which left me short of one hand to hold the cable. I did get the job done and it took forever.
The object was to move the TV from the right of the bathroom doorway to the left so that Dad could lay in bed and watch all his sports games. Well you are looking at the final result. I stapled that TV cord all around the doorway and moved the TV and hooked it all up. Also this new space allows Dad to bring his walker right into the bedroom.
Sadly the TV did not work. I asked Colin if the fact that I had stapled thru the TV cable several times would have any effect 🙄 I guess it did. Boy did I screw up. One of Dad’s neighbours bypassed my not so handy work and the system worked . So hopefully my brother can get over there on the weekend and fix it all up. Seems like I need to send over a fresh 20 feet of cable. All I can say is that I did have good intentions but it was a stretch for me.
The other project I undertook was more successful. Late Sunday night Dad mentioned to me how much he had liked the lit tree he had seen at Costco on Saturday. Well, if he wanted one, I would be sure that he got one. We purchased it on Monday and I set it up while he/we watched the hockey game. I will admit that it took me several moments to figure out that those beige cardboard tubes had to slip off before I could insert the branches.
My mind was a tad tired after doing errands in the morning, a few more boxes to sort out, then the cable wire install then making us dinner and then the tree set up but I really wanted to get it completed.
Fortunately I was able to get Dad to be my photographer. Looking very very good, no not me, but the tree.
I love that tree. The next morning I half disassembled it and moved it outside onto the deck where I put it together once again.
Dad says he is really enjoying it. I even managed to set it up on a timer so he just has to enjoy the beauty of the lights and not worry about any details. He can watch his sports and news and the tree at the same time.
I spent my final morning arranging for an alarm alert pendant to be worn around his neck. Should something happen he only needs to push a button and help will come. He fought me a bit on that one but as I mentioned earlier it allows me peace of mind to go away for the winter.
Once again special thanks to my classmate who picked me up at my Dad’s. Not only did she entertain my Dad while I finished my to do’s for him but she brought him pumpkin pie, muffins and produce from her garden and her neighbours garden. With little time to visit she still managed to deliver me to my Mazatlan/Edmonton Registered Massage Therapist for my decompression massage. I was then picked up by yet another classmate who chauffeured me to the airport. It was a great four days made even more special by all my friends who helped me out and of course our very special reunion evening ( yesterdays post ).
All was well until I took my seat on the plane and saw this out of the window.
It wasn't a dangling particple but a dangling piece of the aircraft????
They just screwed it in and we were off and yes I got home safely.
Being in Edmonton and then coming back here was difficult. I was being pulled in different directions and it has been very difficult on me. Tonight, Oct. 11th I am finally feeling more settled. Thanks for bearing with me.
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You’re a good daughter and a good person. Not many like you anymore. Blessings.
It’s hard being pulled in several directions but I think you did everything you could to make it all work out okay.
So nice that you got to enjoy some quality time with your Dad.