Magic Moments...filled with love

It has rained all through the night and morning so I didn't think my dad and I would be venturing outside at all today.  We took our time with breakfast and watched a bit of Food Network on the TV.  Perhaps it was the sight of Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond's baps that got us all fired up and in the mood for coffee and cake!

I got dad ready first as usual and left him in his bedroom having a shave with his electric razor.  He always stands in front of a full length mirror and admires the vision before him, taking quite a bit of time with this task and putting everything away in it's place...well, it's one of several places I should say.  Hunt the razor has become such a 'fun' part of the daily routine.

I make every effort to not deprive him of independence even in the smallest of tasks.  Once he is washed and dressed I can set him up to do the next thing on his own as long as I sweep the area visually to ensure a safe environment before leaving the room.  I might not keep an eye on him 24/7 but what my eyes don't see, my ears pick up!  I swear I have developed superpower hearing since moving in with this man.

As I busied myself clearing away breakfast dishes, I already realised that the razor had been switched off for quite some time so this made me wonder what he could be up to as he hadn't made his way to the living room.  I returned to the bedroom to find him with his braces hanging backwards over his shoulders while trying to feed the short end down the front of his jumper.  "Can you pull this down for me hen?" he asked.  With a concentrated effort not to laugh, I said, "I don't think you need them on today dad.  Your trousers have a pretty good grip of your wee belly!"

"True," he said, "very true."  Instead of returning the braces to the drawer where he found them while putting away his razor, I decided to remove them and hang them at the back of the wardrobe out of sight.  He won't remember them tomorrow...unless his trousers fall to his ankles...which they won't.  Golden Wonder have made sure of that.

Raincoats on and out the door we went.  I drove along the same old route.  The route which is on it's way to the hospital.  I never take that journey now without thinking back.  I doubt that will ever change.  We were listening to Radio 2 and the music this morning was old requests.  Perry Como serenaded us with 'Magic Moments' and to my surprise my dad began to sing along!  I've never heard my dad hum, never mind sing!  I remember this song from when I was just a wee lassie.  Perry Como and his pals from the 50's and 60's were always playing at some time or another in our house.

"Dad," I said, "I remember when you told me that this song was about sweets.  Magic Mo Mints!"  The mere thought of magical mints filled with love was sheer delight to the palate of an 8 year old.  I might have been younger...or older.  Perry Como lived with us for many years, I thought he was a relative.  My dad laughed at my recollection and continued to join in with the chorus until the end.

The second Perry Como song began.  "For the Good Times."  Even though the radio played, the silence was deafening.  I glanced around at my dad, just watching with the corner of my eye.  He was staring pensively out of the window.  I returned my gaze to the road ahead.  I heard him sniff so I had another quick glance towards him to find he had removed his glasses and was wiping his eyes.  I kept silent and continued to drive.  At the end of the song, almost inaudibly, he sang "...for the good times."  With calculated breath, I remained silent and allowed him his private thoughts.

I took dad a trip to the craft shop.  I have a little something I want to do as a bit of fun so this little jaunty lightened the mood.  As I walked through the aisles of the store, I noticed sturdy plain brown boxes (for decorating purposes no doubt) in the shape of treasure chests.  I had no second thought in buying two of them in different sizes.  No need to explain to dad, but I have now consoled myself with the thought that my mother's ashes will be taken a little more care of until I decide where I am going to spread them as her 'forever' place.  No more crappy paper bag nightmares!

We went for coffee, tea and a sweet treat before heading home.

I made him a cheese and pickle sandwich for lunch along with a handful of Pringles and a cup of tea.  He sat with the tray balance on his lap with his feet up on his reclining chair.  I put the TV on Channel 10 and was happy to see Inspector Morse...a distant relative of Columbo perhaps!

Halfway through the sandwich my dad said, "I can't eat any more of this.  I'm full."  He'd only left one quarter of it so I told him he's had enough anyway and not to worry.  Next thing I know, he's stuffing his face with the Pringles!  Not quite so full then dad, eh?

I watched discreetly so I'd catch him before he attempted to get off the chair with the tray in his hands.  He was poking around his mouth with his finger.  I tend not to pick him up on little habits but later I might offer him a scoosh (a fine Scottish technical term) of antibacterial hand gel and tell him matter of factly to wipe his hands.  Just as I am having this thought, he whips out his false teeth and starts to pick with his fingers.

TOO FAR DAD....TOO FAR!

Count to 10, then, "Dad, go and give your teeth a clean in the bathroom.  It'll only take a second."

"It's alright," he said.  "I've sorted them."

"But dad...it's not very attractive to whip your teeth out when there's someone else in the room.  If you do that in Blackpool you'll get us both hung!" I smiled.  (Did I grimace??  Maybe..maybe not...)

"Right enough!" he laughed.

I'm sure he's fully understood this so I don't expect to see it happening again...until dinner time perhaps!

My dad was unaware of a little purchase I made before heading home today.  With the impending drive to Blackpool in mind...

...for the good times Dad. x