Dad's 93rd Today is Dad's birthday. I've been fretting about it. This photo was taken in 2018, when Dad moved into assisted living. Never would I have guessed that 2.5 years later, he would be isolated in his living quarters... for 6 months. How do you make your dad's birthday special, when you're far away and he is locked in. Gifts? Cards? We were on the road coming back from seeing the kids, when I realized I was running out of time. I always travel with stamps, so I made a corny card in a hotel room. I ordered gifts on Amazon. No homemade cookies or special handmade gifts. Night Before It made me so frustrated and sad and angry to know that my dad could not have a hug or a visitor or an outing on his birthday. Now, his facility allows some outdoor visits, but they don't schedule them on Wednesdays. So I took this silly photo and sent it to my Uncle. He said he would share it with Dad when he saw him next. FaceTime? I knew I'd talk to Dad on his birthday, but that's nothing special. We talk daily. I wish we could do a FaceTime call, but he seems uncomfortable with that. So I fretted some more. Then I had Don take a video of me doing a very silly Happy Birthday song. He jumped in at the end and we blasted horns. I sent the video to a staff member. "Could you show this to my dad on his birthday?" What Else? Then I worried more and texted the kids in CA and OR. The kids sent videos and photos with birthday greetings. Yay! These would also be shared along with my singing video.
Well, I guess all that worrying was for nothing. Dad had a good birthday, without my frantic worrying. My siblings all called and sent gifts. My Uncle was allowed to take him out for lunch, after all. What!? I was so surprised and pleased. I thought they were still on lockdown! Dad was delighted with the collage frame that I sent, but he didn't seem to remember anything about being shown photos or videos. I think he just had too much going on and can't remember everything. Here I had pictured him, sitting all day watching his birds. He was having a much bigger pandemic birthday than anyone else has had in our family! Lunch out and tons of calls and gifts. Whew. I need to save my fretting for bigger things.
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Not-So-Happy List
Cancer, Covid & Coronary... I started this complaining list/blog, in May 2016. I posted 200 gripes about my breast CANCER and then I was done. On March 13, 2020, I started venting all over again, when another disease (starting with a C) interfered with my life. This time it was the invasion of COVID and it affected every person. I ranted for a year, until I got my COVID vaccine in March 2021. CORONARY Artery Disease was the reason I restarted this blog on September 26, 2021. This time it was my hubby Don, who was dealing with a worry that started with the letter "C". Coronavirus and Cancer, Coronary Artery Disease! All are evil, but none can totally get me down... if I vent! I usually end up feeling a little more positive at the end of each post! Navigating This Mess! The most recent post is at the top, from coronary posts in 2022, back to cancer posts in 2016. To find past posts, look below the "Archives" section, to find "Categories". Archives
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