Thursday, September 27, 2012
In spite of having purchased the length recommended by the chart on the back of the package of shoe laces, the laces were about ten inches too long. I should have taken a photo of the clown-like bows that topped off Dad’s shoes before I cut the laces down to size.
While I was in the polishing mood, I gave his hiking boots a good oiling, getting them ready for our fall and winter walks through the swamp.
My visit with Dad was short. Jane was scheduled for her shot in the eye at 2:30 and I had the honor of being her chauffeur. Technology and medical advancements continue to allow our bodies to do the simple things we love to do, like walk and see.
Unfortunately, we’ve found no way to reverse the tragedy of dementia. Today was not one of the good days for Dad. I think that changing the laces and polishing the shoes pushed him over the edge. His world of words was as blank as the page of his green sketchbook. The pencil and paper could not connect and Dad was lost in a vapor.
While Dad struggled with to find a word or two, I counted the fruit in his room. Apples and oranges were everywhere.
Orange sections in a bag in the bathroom with a toothbrush and toothpaste. I was concerned that Dad wasn’t making it to any of his meals and that the fruit was left over from the trays of food brought to him when he didn’t show up in the dining room. Much to my relief, Jane explained that he picks up a piece of fruit from the bowl next to the coffee pot every time he gets himself a cup of coffee from the coffee/snack area. Whew!
I grabbed his pile of newspapers, kissed him goodbye and headed to Jane’s.
I joined Jane in the waiting room until she was called for her treatment. At that point I had at least two hours to myself. Having skipped lunch, I drove to the China Wok and ordered steamed broccoli and brown rice. With my take-out lunch I returned to the parking lot of Greymark to wait for a call from Jane.
Lately, I find myself drawing in parking lots quite often.
My phone rang. I stashed my pen and paints and drove around to the front of the building where Jane, with patch over one eye, stood smiling. She is such an inspiration and a great example of the power of positive thinking! In spite of back pain and wet macular degeneration she is headed to Texas in a month for a tennis tournament!
So jealous that your quick drawings are infinitely better than my snapshots. But I love you for sharing your art with us.
When I visit, we’ll go on a journey together, snapping and sketching! Cooperative art, not comparative art! Is comparative a word?
Even your parking lot drawings are wonderful, Chris. They evoke memories, imagination as well as my curiosity. Love ’em. ~~~ Aunt Fann
Thanks, Aunt Fann!