This blog was formerly dedicated in 2009 to my Dad who died of Alzheimer's in 2013. It's been three years now...and I find myself missing blogging...so I am re-inventing my blog... because, after all, life is about moving through, and going forward...

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

A pre-Thanksgiving visit from his son...

My youngest brother went to visit Dad yesterday.  When he arrived, he found Dad, sound asleep with the afghan Mom knitted him, keeping him cozy and warm.  My brother sat down and was going to watch some TV, while letting Dad get some "shut eye", but, while rifling through Dad's drawer to find the remote, Dad woke up.  Dad's face lit up with joy when he saw his son sitting there...

Still under the effects from his dreams, Dad was talking about files in his mind and deposits for his savings.  Not knowing what Dad was referring to, he attempted to change the subject to Thanksgiving.  He asked Dad what he was thankful for. Dad told him he was thankful for his faith, and he had to make daily deposits in his savings for his faith.

My brother told Dad he was thankful for his family, his friends and his faith.  "Pops" told my brother he had "visions of heaven" and it was beautiful.  He told my brother,"We have to say our prayers to get to heaven".

Dad told my brother how much he enjoyed his wife, Katie Couric's voice.  Dad smiled, as if remembering, and my brother changed the topic, by asking Dad if he remembered the family dog, Brutus.  Dad smiled again, and began to describe the dog's face.  Dad's face fell sad, as he told my brother he felt badly, because he had abandoned Brutus.  Dad said they had been walking and Brutus would not follow him, he stayed on the other side of the street and then someone had taken him.

They laughed together remembering how Brutus was attack the mail slot at the house, when the mailman would start to push the mail through.  Brutus was run as fast as his stubby legs could carry his chubby body and throw himself at the door, biting the stack of mail, pulling it through the slot!  No one really knows what happened to Brutus, he just disappeared one day.  It broke Dad's heart.  He loved that dog so much.  Dad plastered the community with posters and put ads in the newspaper. We never found him...

Very seriously, Dad told my brother, "Never water the Pomegranate tree".  This was Dad's mantra in the summer, because if the tree got too much water, the fruit would crack open in the fall.  Mom did not heed his warnings, and over watered the tree.  This fall, we did not get our delicious pomegranates, as we normally do, because they all split open and the birds got to feast instead.

My brother was not sure what made Dad bring up the Pomegranate tree. He hoped Dad did not remember, one of his "punk kid" remarks, when he told Dad Brutus had died, and he buried Brutus under the tree... Dad had gotten so upset, he told my brother, "If you really did that, I will disown you as my son"....that sobered him up quickly from his mean spirited teasing.  We all knew how sensitive Dad was with Brutus and we should not even bring up the subject that Brutus was gone...

Again, my brother changed the topic, this time to childhood memories, asking Dad if he remembered bringing him McDonald fillet of fish sandwiches to school, when he had forgotten his lunch... Dad remembered and reminded him of the Reese's Peanut Butter cups he had included for his dessert, which made my brother smile with affection.  They reminisced about fishing off the Huntington Beach pier. Just as my brother was about to bring up the golf tournament they were in together and took home a trophy, church friends of Dads walked in for a visit...

He kissed and hugged Dad good-bye, watching Dad's excitement as he clasped hands with his dear friends. My brother assured me, Dad showed no sadness or indication of even realizing it was Thanksgiving tomorrow.

8 comments:

Mari said...

What a wonderful visit. It sounds like it was a blessing for both your Dad and your brother. I hope it was a reassurance for you, as you celebrate tomorrow too.

Holly said...

Hi Sis,
Love the picture on your header! You are so creative! I must say that I totally enjoy coming home from work and reading your blog each day. You have such a way with words. I remember when you would write me letters and I would feel like I was there "talking" with you. Thank you for the update on the visit with Dad. I am going in the morning and will report in. Love you tons and have a wonderful Turkey Day with your "other" family. Love, Boo

Donna B. said...

Hi Mari, yes, I am always uplifted with my baby brother's visits. He has such a great way with Dad.

Donna B. said...

Hey Boo, YES! Please give me a report after your visit. Thank you for the compliments (blush) but YOU are so talented! Jan thinks you both have similar tastes in the punches etc. Good luck on your Black Friday (early) hunts...I will miss you tomorrow...love you too.

Donna said...

Your brother seems to know just what to say to your Dad, and the conversation between them was guided as to keep your Dad in reality. What a blessing for your brother and family. I too love to read your blog as you are so creative with your words. You have and our blessed with a talent in expressing your self in writing. By the way I love the beautiful picture of the sunset.

Donna B. said...

Thank you so much Donna...we are truly blessed with my youngest brother...he really does have a special way with Dad. This blog is also a blessing to, having the blog has helped me in so many ways. Your kind words and compliments are so much appreciated!

Jonny J Petros said...

this post is beautiful and heartwarming the story.Brutus grabbing the mail is way to funny and must have been a delight to watch the part that he lost him was sad I couldnt imagine what he was going through when he disappeared the never knowing is the hard part Best wishes Sincerely Jonny

Donna B. said...

Thank you Jonny for stopping by and for the compliments. I wrote another post, called Brutus, the 10 cent dog. If you enjoyed this one, pleas look under my labels for Dad, and look for that post. Nothing is worse than losing a pet, except for not knowing what happened to them and fearing they were alone...