Crisite & PaPa (not too shabby for a cell phone photo)
So, being that it’s Sappy-Icky-Mushy-Love Day (aka Valentine’s Day), I was going to write something about my usual feelings over how ridiculous this holiday is. I will however throw in one little thought from a blog a follow called BloggingDangerously… “If you’re not in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is just a reminder – and let’s be honest, if you’re NOT in a relationship do you REALLY need a reminder?” (Yep, I’m single… can ya tell?! LOL!) Instead of continuing my cynical VDay tirade I wanted to share a little something else.
We went to go visit our grandpa in the nursing home yesterday. This is a new situation and has been a time of adjustment for the whole family. He’s been there for almost a month and seems to have taken to the new place like a champ. Sadly, with his advanced Alzheimer’s I don’t think he realizes that he’s in a home. Perhaps this is why the transition happened so smoothly for him. Day by day we see small improvements in his demeanor.
Yesterday was a good day. We walked into the comfortable and charmingly decorated living room area of the home. It’s one of many areas that the residents can come to hang out, watch tv or (as in most cases) sleep & snore the day away. The facility is new and only houses 7 residents at the moment. It’s cute and comforting to see them all gather in one room together. I like knowing that my grandpa is surrounded by other people who have similar memory issues. It puts me at ease to know that he’s not alone in his journey. I know that in his brief moments of lucidity he can see it as well.
I saw my PaPa’s face light up from across the room as we entered. He waved and recognized us immediately. I couldn’t help but smile because I know that there will come a time soon when he doesn’t remember us and all that will remain are snippets of the life that was once his. Each moment that he is the grandpa I always knew is a moment I now hold with special regard.
We brought strawberry cupcakes with decadent cream cheese icing to the home to share with everyone for the Valentine’s Day holiday. He reached for the tray full of cupcakes and insisted that he “just take a little look at one up close.” It only took a moment before “up close” was more like “in his mouth.” Hahaha! Some things obviously never change. The BEST part of the visit though was when he leaned over to my dad as if to tell him a secret. I heard him say, “Man, there sure are a lot of old people that hang around here all the time.” Sad yet so humorous that I think it’s the best laugh I’ve had in a week!!
So, happy Valentine’s Day to everyone today. May it be a day when love and the beauty in life and it’s little precious moments goes so much further than candy-filled heart shaped boxes & flowers.
~Melinda~
thanks for always comi up with fun and exciting events. You guys make life fun and worth living! Xoxo
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