During March, I am participating in the Slice of Life challenge, hosted by twowritingteachers.wordpress.com. Bloggers from around the world are posting daily, committed to the practice of sharing, reflecting, remembering...writing! Feel free to stop by this incredible March happening and check out other posts or even join in--there's no rule that says you have to start on March 1st!
Last year, many of my posts wound up being memoirs of my dad. When I met Catherine in person, one of the first questions she asked me was how was my dad. He's good, and actually, last night he was very funny.
A little background information: he fell twelve years ago and he bumped his head, hard enough that he should have died. He didn't, but he suffers--we all suffer--from his premature dementia that has intensified in the last couple of years. His prostate cancer has also intensified in that last couple of years, and how lovely for him that he doesn't know a thing about that! We all live together in a pretty symbiotic living situation for the time being, but that's another story.
Doc loves his cocktail at five, and he loves his ice cream after dinner. He's put on a little weight, so we've trying to manage the ice cream intake. Last night, when he finished his chicken, he pushed his chair back. His refrain is this: "Shall I get myself a bowl of ice cream?"
The night before, my mother had talked him into a clementine instead of his Ben and Jerry's, so I responded, "There are delicious clementines on the counter."
"Oh good," he said.
We went bacak to our conversation, and did not notice what he was doing for a few minute. Guess what? He had gotten himself a bowl and was scooping ice cream and plenty of it.
"That doesn't look like a clementine, Doc," my youngest daughter, Cecily said.
"I don't think that he really wanted that clementine," my mom said.
As Doc walked past the last remaining chocolate chip cookie, conveniently next to the clementines, he reached for it to put it on top of his ice cream.
"Half, Doc," my mom said.
Obligingly, her broke the cookie, but not in half, as you can see from the picture--this is the part of the cookie that he left behind...We had a good laugh at Doc's face, as he knew that he was being a little sneaky, but he enjoyed his ice cream!
I love it! And such a great picture of him! Have you read Still Alice? That book was so profound, and you're living the theme - meet people where they are today. They still have value, a soul, and worth. This story is proof of that. He's a lucky man that he has a family as loving as you clearly are and can still enjoy your dad's sense of humor. And I would choose the ice cream!
ReplyDeleteI have read Still Alice and it haunts me. She had such a great plan, and the nature of the disease is that the plan doesn't work. Doc is happy, and that's what matters, most. He LOVES his moments! How great is that!
DeleteDoc is happy.
DeleteHe loves his moments.
Precious words.
Doc is happy.
DeleteHe loves his moments.
Precious words.
Really? Is there any question of what to choose? Doc knew what he was doing. :-) After all don't you order dessert first, occasionally? What's life without a little sweetness, and that's what this post is all about. The sweet taste of life. Glad your dad's doing so well.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a little subterfuge was definitely in the works, Melanie. Happy that you all are doing well, and keeping your dad happy. I must say I think I would choose the ice cream too, but I love Clementines as well!
ReplyDeleteDoc knew what he wanted and knew he would get it...and also knew he was being sneaky about it. Love the picture...and love that I sense a loving and caring family. Jackie http://familytrove.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI did have the ice cream. I ate it while my husband ate a clementine :-)
ReplyDelete