Dad chatted away, and my sister listened. It seemed every few minutes, he would yawn, while talking about his dreams. He mentioned enjoying the little children several times. Ever on his mind lately, he told my sister he was curious about Mom's "red man". At first, she was not sure what Dad meant...until she realized Dad was talking about the red jacketed boy, walking his dog, in my Winter Walk painting...
At lunch time, she wheeled him back to the lunch room and they waited a bit for his food to arrive. He looked my sister and asked her if they could go out for a bite to eat. My sister told him she had to pick up her daughter from the airport, and the nursing home had already prepared his food. Dad always gets impatient waiting for his food. He invited her to stay and eat with him. Just then, his tasty looking lunch was served and Dad's attention was focused on his food.
Dad was woofing down his lunch, while a pleasant looking older man, observed him briefly, and then dug into his lunch too. A toothless woman with a Prior Tuck type bald spot on top of her head and long strings of gray hair hanging down her neck, was noisily sucking and slurping her pudding. My sister decided she was not that hungry...
She kissed him and gave him a big hug good bye, and was grateful he seemed so happy and content, but was sad at the thought of how drastically his life has changed...
6 comments:
I'm so glad he enjoys his meals. I would really like to see a picture of your painting. It's really quite amazing that he consistently remembers it.
In a strange sort of way, I enjoy reading about your father. Perhaps, I'm projecting my own situation into your, one day. Funny how we slow down and enjoy company more when we're with older people rather than rushing off to the computer, the store, or DOING.
Hi Mari, I had posted a pic of Winter Walk a while back...so I edited this post and added a closer look (just click on the painting and you will see the boy in the red jacket walking his dog).
I agree Gutsy Writer, it's like going back in time, when everything was a slower pace. Elders always made anything extra special. I always wanted to listen so I could be privy to some wise advice. I just knew they knew the secret to life...
Donna!!! I am so in love with that painting. It's no wonder your Dad enjoys it. You are so talented. There is something about it that draws me in and it's also a very calming picture. I think it would be a wonderful thing to have hanging in your Dad's room.
Thanks for posting it.
Hi Donna, I loved you watercolour. It was rather refreshing too as we are experiencing rather hot and dry conditions here at the moment, with little relief in sight. Thank goodness for air-conditioning. I actually saw another person in your painting on the bottom RH corner. On the smaller version I thought that must be the boy and couldn't work out where the red coat was till I opened up your painting to full screen. I visited an Aunt recently in much the same condition as your Dad. She seems much happier with her situation than she was last time I saw her about a year ago, soon after she had gone to the home to live. I guess their life becomes far less complicated and they adapt to the routine. I sure they know us and are pleased to see us but their life revolves around what is uppermost in their mind at the time.
I must get the water colours out!
Keep happy. M
Thank you both Mari and Marcella for enjoying my painting. I agree Mari, I really think it will bring a lot of joy to Dad. He can spend all the time he likes examining the painting.
Marcella, I cannot imagine a heat wave! Lucky you!! I too saw the figure in the lower right...interesting what the subconscious mind can do without conscious effort. By all means, get those watercolors out. Sorry to hear about your Aunt and that are dealing through this dreaded disease too. We can comfort one another...
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