It has been quite some time since I last posted. There was acreage to mow, weeds to be whacked, trees to be trimmed, wood to be stacked for winter. Every day it was up early and every night it ended with a medicinal small glass of wine to keep the muscles relaxed. Since it doesn't take much - snoring quickly followed.
When the majority of the place had been 'touched' at least once I made a decision to run down to Oregon to see the granddaughter and her parents. It had been too long since the last visit. Caregiving my father in law kept me away, but as it looked like things could go on and on as they are I simply had to go. It's a 5 hour drive. I had only been traveling two hours before the first phone calls started - he's got pneumonia and a UTI (two of the few 'outs' for Alzheimer's patients.) Very quickly it became apparent we were on a new trajectory. Hospice was engaged.
I guess the most important thing to say about all of this is it is possible to have a peaceful passing if enough folks hold it in their minds long enough to create it. And we did.
When the majority of the place had been 'touched' at least once I made a decision to run down to Oregon to see the granddaughter and her parents. It had been too long since the last visit. Caregiving my father in law kept me away, but as it looked like things could go on and on as they are I simply had to go. It's a 5 hour drive. I had only been traveling two hours before the first phone calls started - he's got pneumonia and a UTI (two of the few 'outs' for Alzheimer's patients.) Very quickly it became apparent we were on a new trajectory. Hospice was engaged.
I guess the most important thing to say about all of this is it is possible to have a peaceful passing if enough folks hold it in their minds long enough to create it. And we did.
His boots may be empty, but his spark carries on.
