I’m typing as mom watches the Price is Right. She’s sipping a cup of decaf and waiting for Erin to arrive for our morning/afternoon transport to Craig. I’ve been meaning to write for the past six days but haven’t found the time. Since arriving in Denver, it’s been non-stop fiddling. We’ve etched out the slightest shadow of a routine, but it’s hardly permanent. We’re constantly shifting and adjusting -- sometimes awkwardly – to our new situation. For some reason, life has grown more complicated with all of us here. Whereas before, mom and Craig had only themselves to consider (as did we, in terms of caretaking), they now have to think about how to manage their day in order to a) see each other and b) be awake for it – which is not an easy feat.
Our reunions, when they happen, are often quiet affairs. Conversations trend on the brief, and though we had a good day Saturday (before Memorial Day), it seems that may have been an outlier in an otherwise steady trajectory of staring competitions -- sans the crap-talk that usually comes along with it. Still, nothing compares to having the six of us together, even if the time between seems a bit quiet.
As D and E have said, getting to last Friday took some careful maneuvering, but we made it, thanks to the generosity of two strangers-come-friends – Brelle and Leigh. Brelle offered her house while Leigh offered her time in arranging mom and dad’s wings. (It’s been said, but worth noting again: what you have done for our family goes without saying. You made this possible! Thanks for being our private Dream Foundation -- we’re so spoiled!) We arrived at the Stillwater airport/landing strip just as the Williams Energy jet landed. Diane and I helped a very teary mom out of the car while dad transferred the luggage inside. Once out on the tarmac, three William’s personnel helped mom into a hard metal chair, and carried her up the steps and into her chair. With a long hug and a kiss on the cheek, I said goodbye and joined dad on the tarmac where I gave him a big hug. I gave the Williams crew one last smile, and then walked with D to a secure spot where we could see the plane take off.
We stood there, arms hooked, crying softly as mom and dad lifted off and then made a turn westward. I mumbled to D that I couldn’t believe they were finally on their way, and that it was so easy. Having made such a to-do about whether mom would be able to fly, make it up the steps, etc., we were left with a falling sensation of anticipating resistance and meeting none. The whole ‘transaction’ lasted maybe 30 minutes, which is a far cry from the three plus hours we surely would have spent at the airport. Watching mom succumb to emotion as the plane landed in Stilly proved we had made the right decision -- metal chair and all.
As soon as the plane disappeared, D and I headed home to grab a quick bite and load up the kitty cats for our little road trip. And around 2:30ish, the (very vocal) boys and I were on the road for our ten (more like nine… speed limits are more like guidelines, right?) hour drive. We arrived at Brelle’s around 10:30. I quickly ran the boys upstairs, and came down to give mom and dad a hug, and help mom to bed. The next morning, I awoke to mom shouting for someone to take her to the bathroom. She was soaked so I helped her to the commode. Ay, no rest for the weary. With a shout and a soak, so began our routine, which typically starts with a morning wipe down, followed by dressing, and then breakfast. :0)
That afternoon, we headed over to C’s for some quality time. As soon as we entered his apartment, we had a code red with the commode, and promptly went into action. Mom’s not one to dither over appearances, and doesn’t mind dropping trou in times of emergency -- usually with a grin. I remember looking over at Erin just after settling mom on the commode; she was administering meds to a comatose Craig, and I couldn’t help but shake my head in disbelief over the circumstances: me helping mom, and Erin helping C just a few feet away. We shared a long stare, and then went back to work. I helped mom into her wheelchair, and then wheeled her in to say hello to C. She watched while Erin finished with his meds, and began to cry. Craig turned his head towards her and began crying as well and with a laugh, he said “good to see you too.” At first glance, he looked paler than two weeks before, and still quite sick. He’s lost about ten pounds since the last time I saw him. Yet still, the familiar sarcasm that is Craig. Boy, how time can change everything, and then nothing at all.
After a nice dinner at Rock Bottom, E drove us home and, at round midnight, left to help C; dad and I finished up. We awoke early the next day to start the routine. As E mentioned, we’ve had to modify things after the unfortunate pss, pss, pling of the air mattress (whoopsy), but for the most part, the framework is still there. And with a shout and a soak…so it goes. -- J
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