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ImperialPansy of Bloom
May. 25th, 2019 09:55 pmWell, that was a day and a half. The trouble with these trips is that they're all ups and downs, hello and goodbye. This morning we were sitting in the hotel breakfast room when Queenie and the Fireman came in. We hung out for a few minutes, and then went over to long-term care, where we sat in the cafe and waited for the Duchess and family to show up, while Queenie waited for the Former Naval Person and her boyfriend to get up. And then everybody arrived en masse and it was, as expected, quite a circus. The granddaughters and Queenie and the Duchess trooped off to Grandmother's room while the rest of us sat around some more, and then they came back and we all walked over to another part of the campus so the Fireman could visit his father, who is also in residence. We sat on a concrete patio while the sun blazed down in the first 80+ degree day of the year. I was about to get sunstroke and faint.
Then everybody left except the Sparrowhawk and me. I went back and sat with Mother while she ate lunch. She didn't eat that much, but she did drink a whole glass of water. We took her for a walk in her wheelchair so she could enjoy the nice weather. By the time we came back, she was wiped out. The CNA who came in to help her into bed tried to talk her into sitting up a little longer, but she didn't want to. She fell asleep about five seconds after she lay down.
We had a bite to eat and a long drink of iced tea. The sky was blue with white clouds blowing rapidly. It was like the first day of summer. We were only a few miles from the recreation area and parks where I spent many hours of my youth hiking around. I wanted to go for a walk. I believed with every fiber of my being that I should go for a walk. But when I opened my mouth, what came out was, "I really just want to go back to the motel and turn on the AC and take a nap." In fact, as soon as we arrived, the afternoon thunderstorm arrived too, so it was just as well that we weren't out in the hills and meadows. I conked out and slept without moving for over an hour. I've never been so glad to be unconscious. It's too sad. I had to get away from all the conflicting emotions.
Queenie had texted us that they made dinner reservations and included us. We drove to the restaurant location early. There's a great book store nearby, so we figured we'd hang out there until it was time. As we got out of the car, we saw Queenie and the Fireman arriving with the identical thought in mind. I helped Queenie shop for a few gifts, and she told me they had gone back to Mother's room and sat with her a long time while she was sleeping, and then spent some leisurely quiet time with her when she woke up. I was so glad and felt so much better for knowing that. Queenie thinks she may not see her again. It's hard.
Then we had dinner with them and the FNP and her boyfriend. The food was good, and Queenie and I were trying to have a good time, but it wasn't quite working out. And then we had to say goodbye again. Tomorrow: drive two hours to the other side of the state where the Sparrowhawk's brother is celebrating his 60th birthday. I just wanna go home now. Soon . . . just not soon enough.
Then everybody left except the Sparrowhawk and me. I went back and sat with Mother while she ate lunch. She didn't eat that much, but she did drink a whole glass of water. We took her for a walk in her wheelchair so she could enjoy the nice weather. By the time we came back, she was wiped out. The CNA who came in to help her into bed tried to talk her into sitting up a little longer, but she didn't want to. She fell asleep about five seconds after she lay down.
We had a bite to eat and a long drink of iced tea. The sky was blue with white clouds blowing rapidly. It was like the first day of summer. We were only a few miles from the recreation area and parks where I spent many hours of my youth hiking around. I wanted to go for a walk. I believed with every fiber of my being that I should go for a walk. But when I opened my mouth, what came out was, "I really just want to go back to the motel and turn on the AC and take a nap." In fact, as soon as we arrived, the afternoon thunderstorm arrived too, so it was just as well that we weren't out in the hills and meadows. I conked out and slept without moving for over an hour. I've never been so glad to be unconscious. It's too sad. I had to get away from all the conflicting emotions.
Queenie had texted us that they made dinner reservations and included us. We drove to the restaurant location early. There's a great book store nearby, so we figured we'd hang out there until it was time. As we got out of the car, we saw Queenie and the Fireman arriving with the identical thought in mind. I helped Queenie shop for a few gifts, and she told me they had gone back to Mother's room and sat with her a long time while she was sleeping, and then spent some leisurely quiet time with her when she woke up. I was so glad and felt so much better for knowing that. Queenie thinks she may not see her again. It's hard.
Then we had dinner with them and the FNP and her boyfriend. The food was good, and Queenie and I were trying to have a good time, but it wasn't quite working out. And then we had to say goodbye again. Tomorrow: drive two hours to the other side of the state where the Sparrowhawk's brother is celebrating his 60th birthday. I just wanna go home now. Soon . . . just not soon enough.
