2nd Visit to my Dad

Last Friday, I returned to visit my Dad who has early Alzheimer's/dementia. I rode my trusty Honda ST1300 motorcycle with Johansen and Jack (our little terrier/Chihuahua 2-year old dog.) We carried Jack in a little animal carrier on the back of the bike, think "Jack-in-the-box."

My sister, Annabel had brought my Mom, Ann, with the twins, Scout and Jordan; as well as my daughter, Joyalene were going there to celebrate my Dad's birthday. It was a very hot day. The temperatures went from Bakersfield at 101 to Glendale at 95 to Loma Linda at 99 to Hemet at 104 back to Torrance at 93.

My Dad was delighted to see all his family. Annabel brought cake, presents, food. Johansen and I were not prepared as I was actually going to bring him to the beach and to Josiah's Torrance condo to show a prospective renter. But when we found out that Annabel and Joyalene were going to see my Dad, we changed plans in a hurry.

My mom, Ann, was just back from 5-6 weeks in Malaysia after attending Josiah's wedding. So Dad was really glad to see his wife of over 54 years. As usual, Dad was pretty silent, only answering "yes" or "no" or shrugging his shoulders to mean "I don't know." As we sang Happy Birthday, he was all smiles. The real cheese cake was delicious. Annabel gave Dad a really nice black wallet.

As Mom was about to leave with Annabel to return to Anaheim Hills, Dad got up by himself to follow them. This amazed his care-givers, Richard and Susan. They had been helping him get up for the last 3 weeks and now he could do it on his own. Wow! In fact Dad was so enthusiastic to follow Mom that he walked boldly outside to the van and wanted to get in with Annabel and Mom, but I had to restrain him. In compensation, I offered to give him a ride on my motorcycle. Again, Richard and Susan were amazed as they helped him get on my bike and we made a few turns up and down the road. Reluctantly I had to say good bye to my Dad and promised to return soon to see him.

It is very sad that we, his family members, cannot take care of him. But we are so blessed that Richard and Susan are able and willing to take care of Dad in his situation. I hope and pray that he will have a blessed and happy stay with them and hopefully, God willing, he may make some recovery or at least delay the onslaught of Alzheimer's.