Another New Normal

We have been settling into a new routine and this kind of cuteness is part of it.

Dad is in a comfortable room with a large window looking out into the yard.  There is a little bird feeder attached to the window where we can watch the fluttering and activity of our little feathered friends. 

I'm glad Dad has good vision so he can at least see!  HIs lack of hearing makes it communication very difficult, especially for mom who now has such a weak raspy little voice.

I pick Mom up and get her set up here with Dad.  

Their coffee mugs are filled, Mom is tucked into the easy chair with a blanket, cookies are made available and I can head out for a bit while these two visit or nap together.   

Leanne and I decided to meet downtown for our little monthly "catch-up" date

since it was closer to where Dad is staying.

How fun that we live so close to this kind of beauty!

Despite the smoke from the raging forest fires in the province we can still see a bit of blue sky and enjoy the warmth and loveliness that is in our city.

We discuss where we are in our life journey, encourage each other, laugh a lot and pray even more.

We are seeing "the goodness of God in the land of the living" even if the road gets rough in places.  Leanne is making some courageous decisions and changes in her life that have been a long time in coming. I'm also in the midst of pursuing change by finally going to see a lawyer about getting the separation agreement completed.

Whew.

I take mom home for her afternoon nap and later Elsie picks her up for the evening shift so Dad isn't alone for too many hours at a time.

Of course Pupcake is part of the equation, cheering people up wherever he goes

I'm just so very thankful that I have Elsie here to share the work load.

It's a privilege, but it is also very constant and consuming.

One day I dropped mom off and her sweet neighbour Shirley was outside so they sat together  on the front porch.

It's a lovely little community, but harder for mom to connect due to her short term memory loss and her dedication to Dad.

There is a TV in Dad's room and I found a beautiful channel that plays Christian music while beautiful scenery and verses are displayed.

I sometimes read them out loud to Dad and there is such a sweet spirit in the room while this program is on - I feel God's nearness in such a powerful way and I'm caught up in the glory of the moment.

This verse seemed particularly poignant considering Dad is laying in a hospice room having lost his ability to live independently.

It is true for all of us...