As I was thinking of what to say in my next (this) blog entry, I realized that I have lived almost all my days within a small radius. I was excited to map it out to morning and discovered that indeed, it’s almost a circle. Other than the jig over to our first house on Lowell Street (G) and my next home (A), my path in life creates a full circle. Home A is where my father moved his young family in 1956 – a new home in a new subdivision in the suburbs of Washington, DC, the American Dream. Now, 52 years later, I am moving my 87 year old father to a 48 year old home a short 1.4 miles from where we began and .8 miles from where I now live. He and I have come full circle. Is there signifigance that these 2 homes lie outside the circle? Only time will tell.
Here’s Dad with all of his grand and great-grandchildren. He decided to move in with us because he wants to be around young people, not the old ones he has been living with in “the place”. We will keep him young. We will also be there to assist him. He is very healthy, totally sharp and very mobile, but he has been rapidly losing his vision over the last few years. Why? None of the specialists he has consulted cannot figure that out. He can still see shapes, light and shadows but cannot make out details, colors or faces. I’m guessing, but though his eyes, the world probably looks something like this:
He walks with hesitation now simply because he cannot see where he is going. In May, he spent 6 weeks at a VA Hospital learning how to be self-sufficient, and use visual aids (magnifying reader, talking computer, cane, etc). He’s still very vital and active as Executive Director of the American Ex POW organization, even taking the METRO to Capitol Hill to meet with Senators and Congressmen. He uses modern technology like cell phones, computers, soon an iPod for podcasts. But think about it. How do you use an iPod if you cannot see? Podcasts are perfect for a blind person, but how do you navigate the process to listen to them? Talking books are only a small taste of what the world has to offer. How do you navigate the web if you are 87 and you cannot see? The learning curve is steep and unless it’s a daily routine, he forgets the steps. I’ve come to realize how much of our everday routine depends on good eyesight. Digital displays in particular.
So, with Dad living under the same roof, I’ll be able to hook him up to the world, make sure he eats good healthy food, takes a walk everyday and shares in the vitality that youth brings. So that’s why I am moving. Soon I’ll talk about where. But next, I’ll fill you in on the beach and the inspiration I found along the shore.
How wonderful of your dad to want to be with young people. Something tells me he’s young at heart himself.
My family happily did the same. After splitting his time between our two homes and his, my dad said he was lonely and chose to with my sister bc her home was closer to his than mine was by 20 miles. So I would go to Susy’s during the day while she worked so he wouldn’t be alone. At the time I was doing alterations and clothing design so I took my work with me and he watched. Eventually his dementia worsened drastically and we were unable to physically take care of him any more. He gets excellent care at the facilty where he now lives. My children, niece and nephew will cherish those days at my sister’s forever.
Would you thank your father for his work on behalf of our servicemen and women? My dad’s brother Charles was killed in Iwo Jima and we support our military and their families. My husband is a Vietnam veteran with 2 tours of duty during the Tet Offensive era. Poor Dad tried to join every branch of the service but was denied each time bc of the Sole surviving son rule.
Hope your move is easy and hug your dad for me. He sounds like a gem!
Bless you for caring enough to care. So many young people just want to “write us off” when we get old. The Lord will surely bless you. He already has with all your artistic talent. He will bless you daily as you assist and care for your dad. It will be a memory he will never forget (being able to be around his loved ones who love him).
Hi Lesley
good luck with the move, I’ve done it 36 times since I left home, but my inner gypsy has settled down now – for a while anyway.
your family are gorgeous – did they all dress in blue by chance?!
What a BEAUTIFUL family!! How excited you must be to share days with dad!
Hugs
Bless you for caring for your father! As for using an iPod without being able to see it…I use an iPod Shuffle, I can’t see the tiny little print on my kid’s iPod’s, so I just learned to navigate my shuffle by feel. (I actually hook mine to my brastrap, but I doubt your father has that option. *g*) On/Off, Volume Up/Down, Rewind/Forward…it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it!
Moving? does this mean a bigger house with a place for a studio? You will have to get your dad an account on audible.com if he doesn’t already have one. I get through way more books listening to them than I could reading them.
Congrats on new blog ‘house’! Have never had the opportunity to
take a workshop but have your DVD
and my Mom who is wonderfully creative so enjoyed ‘making books from my scrap closet’! She has Macular Degeneration and after some initial depression she fought back and we have bought visual aids for her computer,sewing machine,cooking etc. She is 80 and is back to making lace with the help of a Prisma camera. Like you I have learned how precious our sight is…tell your Dad he is terrific!! kindest regards,Missy from the bayou
ps Your Dad has a great daughter too.