A Reminder

No matter what anyone thinks, this care giving does not come automatically for me. I admit that I do have patience, and that I can typically get my dad to do anything I want him to do. I keep up on the appointments, hygiene, medications, etc. But there are times I want to slap myself up side the head and say, "haven't you learned that by now?"

A few weeks ago, one of my dad's friends from Michigan died. I told him, and he had a genuine reaction of sadness, and we spoke of what a lovely woman she was. Well, yesterday, I found her obituary online, and I showed my dad, I guess because it had such a nice picture of her. It was like I just told him about her death for the first time. His hands to his chest, mouth wide open, "oh no! I can't believe it" just as he did when I told him a few weeks ago. Again, a genuine reaction of sadness. I felt terrible about making him relive that moment again.

It was a good reminder to me that he doesn't remember things. Not that I need a reminder...but maybe I do once in a while. He doesn't remember my mother being sick (5 year illness). Can't remember a lot of things. But a good thing today and yesterday...we did a crossword puzzle together. He has done them for years, and has always been good at them. He comes up with answers that I would NEVER come up with. I'm one that always goes to the back of the book to cheat. Not him. He doesn't do them the way he used to do them, but together, we completed two this weekend. A good thing. :)