This man was a great dear friend to my mother. She valued his friendship far more than anyone I have known her be friend's with. She talked so kindly of him; a lot better than that of her ex-husband, my father. He was very, very ill since she's known him. He is definitely at peace now and this has been a blessing for him.
When I arrived at my grandfather's I felt myself embracing him in a hug far more passionately then I might have the day before and the day before that. I had patience for his repeat of the same questions and I was proud of him for getting ready for going out on dial-a-ride to have lunch at the senior center.
To get him to learn his bus driver's name I have associated it with a song- Michelle My Belle. Since my grandfather aka Pepere is french, he knows this song well. We sang it together several times today. Although not only does he know all the words, he pronounces all the french so perfectly. I'll never forget this memory of us walking down his driveway after leaving the bus and him saying "what a nice driver, what's her name again?". Me- "Michelle, my belle". and Pepere- starts singing the complete song twice!!
I stayed with him far longer than I normally would. I tell him I will leave and he asks me to stay. I can't resist. I have no other obligation.
When I get home I am approached by my 6 mo old kitten, Twixie and her cute little face delights me. (she's intently staring at the computer screen right now as the words appear.)
I immediately go into my art space and make a mandala in memory of Richard.
My goal of quitting smoking has been on track and today marks one full week without a smoke. I started a new habit today. I plan to get addicted to drinking water. hahahaha.sounds healthier, right?!
