Serenaded

August rhythms involve a daily drive into town to pick up mom and bring her to hospice where she cozies in and keeps Dad company.

The cuteness is pretty constant, hence the multitude of pictures of these two.

Holding hands is a pretty big deal.

Dad is eager for this touch and Mom is more than eager to comply.

68 years of love boils down to the simplest but most powerful gestures...

Even on the smokey days it is wonderful to be able to get mom and dad outside together.

All those years at the condo and then at the Village it was difficult to persuade Dad to spend time in the great outdoors.  However, at hospice there is a garden just a few feet from Dad's door and with some gymnastics I get mom pushing Dad or I push him and we are suddenly surrounded by birdsong and beautiful flowers. 

Daniel is home for a week to do some work on his deck.

Dad was over the top thrilled to see him.

I wish I had videotaped the reunion between these two...

There has been an openness and childlike quality to Dad's interactions and when he saw Daniel his face broke into the biggest grin.

He just kept staring at Daniel and smiling for the longest time.

It was incredibly precious to witness.

At times Dad is able to engage in bits of conversation with some clarity of mind but other times we just enjoy a contented silence while the bees hum and the birds serenade us.

Daniel got Dad into an electric wheelchair I purchased for him, but Dad isn't able to maneuver it around so it looks like it's now my electric wheelchair.

They have a far more comfortable recliner wheelchair available that we will be using instead.

Check out that smile!

Grandkids are a pretty big deal.

Family is a very good thing.

Thank you God.