Another sunrise with my sad captains With who I choose to lose my mind And if it’s all we only pass this way but once What a perfect waste of time (Sad Captains by Elbow) Since the last post a couple of years ago, much has happened. My reason for not writing during that time was … Continue reading the perfect waste of time
Dad has been finding life and the changes it’s bringing difficult. And if I’m truthful so am I. It’s my usual habit to focus on the good things, the little treasures that exist if we look hard enough amongst the not so good stuff but recently it’s been harder to find the gems. Maybe I’m … Continue reading waiting for dentures …
Nobody shall sleep!… Nobody shall sleep! Even you, o Princess, in your cold room, watch the stars, that tremble with love and with hope. Nessun Dorma (translation) Dad was sitting watching tv in the communal sitting room. The place was quiet and around him were three people in big chairs; uncommunicative. I couldn’t help compare … Continue reading listening … that’s all
There’s been a change in Dad over the last few weeks. I’ve been expecting it but it’s difficult nonetheless. Watching a decline in someone you love isn’t the easiest thing in the world but we try as best we can. It’s all there is. Finding coping mechanisms that work without dragging me into an ever … Continue reading the ups and downs
When we arrived Dad was sitting at the side of his bed with his elbows resting on his knees, hands dangling, looking at the floor; a million miles away. A cup of coffee lay untouched on his table and was perhaps a sign that he’d chosen the snooze over the drink. He looked sleepy and … Continue reading the simple things
I arrived to find Dad sitting on the floor in front of his bookcase sorting through his dvd collection. Browsing and looking. Trying to remember if he’d watched them at all, never mind recently. Apart from The Quiet Man, Erin Brockovich, Colombo’s greatest hits, Russell Watson and a variety of Danielle Steele nonsense that is. … Continue reading quality of life
It was Saturday and time to pick Dad up and head to the shop. If you refer to the aforementioned shopping list a few posts back that’ll cover more or less what we got. It’s always the same and he can just about remember it because it’s the same and that’s important. Saturday wouldn’t be … Continue reading who’s time is it anyway
Father’s Day and time for random presents! What do you get someone who has every John Wayne movie ever made and whose love of Acker Bilk isn’t what it used to be; has watched Catherine Cookson classics to the point of boredom, whose wardrobe is fit to bursting its doors, who has three pairs of … Continue reading Mr Happy
Life is all memory except for the one present moment that goes by so quick you can hardly catch it going Tennessee Williams, The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore We noticed the bright royal blue dresses when we walked into the shop. Linda and I were talking about how summery and smart they were and Dad … Continue reading memories of a royal blue dress
For sure our lives can be made better by the presence of others. We’re conscious of the difference certain people make and are thankful that they happen to be in the world at the same time we are. Coincidence or maybe it was always meant to be this way. I like to think the latter. … Continue reading conversations
at eighty-one 