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...

Friday, February 18, 2011

It's All About Four Corners...

Mom went to visit Dad yesterday.  They are due to have a big rain storm.  She found Dad playing BINGO.
She snuck up to him from behind and presented him with a vase holding a Daffodil and a Purple Hyacinth. Dad laughed and gushed at how wonderful it smelled.

The lady calling the BINGO numbers told Dad Mom was behind him...slow on the uptake or he didn't hear what she said, he didn't notice he had a BINGO.  Mom came out from behind the wheel chair and told him he was a winner...When Dad saw Mom he light up with excitement and was so happy to see her.  He smiled and reached for her to get a kiss and a hug...

In the final game, everyone needed a bingo down the "B" column and one down the "O" column.  Dad had one of those, but he also had one in "all four corners". Dad yelled out,

"BINGO! IN ALL FOUR CORNERS!"

Mom said that phrase was "the word of the day" the rest of their visit...

She wheeled him back to his room where it was quiet and they could have some conversation.   Dad was asking about my second to the youngest brother S______.  Mom told Dad how busy he was and she had not seen him much lately...

Dad began talking of a business my brother was starting "out there".  He started in again with Mom about needing more money...so he could pay his bills.  Again, Mom reassured Dad she was taking care of all the bills. 

"I am in charge now...I have the four corners so things are going to get a lot better..."

The wound care nurse came in and wanted to check Dad's left pinkie toe wound.  She told Dad and Mom she wanted him back in bed after lunch to elevate his feet.  She also shared pictures of her grandson.  Dad and Mom admired her grandson, and could appreciate how proud she was...

Mom had brought Dad a National Geographic magazine, one of Dad's favorite magazines.  They enjoyed the photographs together.  Dad was very interested in a map from a huge national park in Alaska and pointed out Discovery Bay... 

"Since I have the four corners, I am in charge of our relations with Russia and things are going very well..."

Mom realized it was almost noon, so she suggested she take him to the dining room for lunch.  Dad told her he was not hungry, unless someone fed him...   Mom told Dad she would be glad to feed him.  He quickly devoured tender pot roast, potatoes and gravy, yellow mashed squash and beets.  He didn't want his coffee, but drank all his milk. 

He had cheese cake for dessert, but Dad refused to eat it.  Mom took a bite and told him how delicious it was.  He said he would try it, opened his mouth, and ended up polishing it off...

Shortly after finishing his lunch, Mom could tell he was tired, and wheeled him back to his room.  Dad's male nurse told Mom he would be right in to get Dad ready, as soon as he finished dropping off some food trays.  Mom sat with Dad and listened to some more "four corners" conversation...

Dad looked like he was ready to fall asleep, just as the male nurse returned to take over... Mom kissed him good bye and despite everything, felt it was a good visit...

6 comments:

Mari said...

Sounds like another good visit! How is your back?

betty said...

It does seem like it was a good visit. I like how the place has activities like this with Bingo for all who want to be able to participate in it. I always liked Bingo myself (LOL :)

we are getting the rain indeed!

hoping you are feeling a bit better!

betty

JeannetteLS said...

First, another vote for you to feel better. Second, another wonderful entry about your Mom and Dad. Sounds as if she really does have Bingo in all four corners. take care, please.

Kass said...

Sweet and tender. Brings back memories.

Hope you're doing well.

Pat said...

Your Dad sounds like such a character! I'm glad when your Mom gets to have a nice visit with him!

gayle said...

It does sound like a good visit. So glad they have activites like Bingo!