Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2003. Specifically at Mattie's first birthday party! Mattie was having a hard day that day, because there was too much noise, people, and chaos. However, I felt he needed to be present for his birthday cake, so I lifted him up so he could see it. As you can see, he was transfixed on the image of Elmo on the cake!

Quote of the day: It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done. ~ Vincent Van Gogh

It is hard to believe that in the middle of the circus show that I coordinate everyday, that the Foundation is also in the midst of its annual fundraiser. Our Virtual Walk is struggling this year for two reasons.... 1) COVID has impacted the ability of our corporate sponsors to donate, and 2) I can't devote the time I typically do to fundraising. With that said, we are plugging away and our thermometer reads $57,712. Our goal is $100,000. I am grateful for our loyal donors and amazing friends who are helping me raise money. 

This morning, I went to my dad's memory care center with him to meet the therapist who was doing his physical therapy evaluation. The therapist is lovely and has been doing this for 45 years. His side kick is his son, who also is a physical therapist. So my dad will be working with both of them, an occupational therapist, and a speech therapist to work on memory strategies. 

When I returned to the center at 2pm to pick up my dad, I asked him how his day went. He had NO IDEA! He couldn't even recall what he was doing in his classroom before he came to the car. He had no recollection of eating or drinking anything while there either. The Center gives us a calendar for each day that tells us the activities, snacks, and lunch. I know my dad hates when we pepper him with questions about his day, as it highlights just how significant his memory loss is, however, I think the adjustment really has to come from me. I have to be okay with the fact that he doesn't remember, can't recall that he carries a notebook to record aspects of his day, and truly he is happy not doing any of this. He rather not use his brain or body and the only one NOT okay with this is me. Because I know if he doesn't move, he won't be able to move and live independently. Of course, I can't rationalize with him whatsoever.  

We have a family of blue birds living in one of the bird houses we have in the backyard. They are simply beautiful. 

Meanwhile last night, I swear I heard someone snoring while I was working in my office. It wasn't a human, but instead a frog. Peter went outside because the frog was hanging out by the pool. The frog was almost the size of Peter's foot. 

We had the worst rain, thunder, and lightning last night. At midnight, Sunny negotiated the stairs and came into our bedroom in a panic. Sunny has great trouble with stairs, so he must have been desperate. We literally put Sunny in the walk-in shower all night, it was the only place he felt safe. But in the morning, Peter had to carry him down the stairs (Sunny is 60 pounds). Thank goodness this storm did not happen while Peter was away because there is no way I can carry Sunny down the stairs.