And a Happy Birthday it was
The main reason for going to the US in August was my mother's 95th birthday. The travel agent told us we could save hundreds of dollars by waiting until September, since August is the high season. I explained that Mom has had her birthday in August for over 90 years and I didn't see much chance of her changing that now. He saw the point of that; we paid whatever extra it cost.
Physically, Mom is a bit slower...more careful, lest she fall, actually. Uses a walking stick to help prevent accidents. Mentally, she's still as alert as ever. She did express some concern over her memory not being what it used to be: she's having trouble remembering the birthdays of all the great-grandkids! We assured her that missing a birthday or two that far down the generational chain should not be a source of great concern. She hit 95 and keeps right on rolling. She's already sent us a couple of e-mails since we got back. And by the way, she expects e-mails in return.
Another birthday
Abbie's father with Joy's children, Finn and Mia
Tuesday, the 13th, Abbie's dad will be 93. He's still very fit physically, the doctor foreseeing Dad to still be around at 100. The doctor has diagnosed him with "stress-caused dementia"...he's never been the same since Abbie's niece and little girl were killed on the way to church the morning after she had informed her grandparents that she was pregnant and expecting another child.
Even on "good" days he has a lot of problems with his memory--who you are, where he's just been. The two days we were there were thankfully some of his better days... Abbie's brother wrote that a few days after we left, Dad was having some "bad" days.
And not the least of which to be celebrated...
But there was another anniversary while we were there. Abbie and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary on August 12, as we came over the Rocky Mountains, and we spent the night at Vail, Colorado. It's mainly a ski resort, of course, but we prefer the flowers in the summer to the snow of winter. The Alpine-type constructions were a reminder that on August 12, 1991, our 25th wedding anniversary, we were in Zurich and going for a ride through the Swiss Alps. Being in Vail is almost like being back in Europe.
Physically, Mom is a bit slower...more careful, lest she fall, actually. Uses a walking stick to help prevent accidents. Mentally, she's still as alert as ever. She did express some concern over her memory not being what it used to be: she's having trouble remembering the birthdays of all the great-grandkids! We assured her that missing a birthday or two that far down the generational chain should not be a source of great concern. She hit 95 and keeps right on rolling. She's already sent us a couple of e-mails since we got back. And by the way, she expects e-mails in return.
Another birthday
Abbie's father with Joy's children, Finn and Mia
Tuesday, the 13th, Abbie's dad will be 93. He's still very fit physically, the doctor foreseeing Dad to still be around at 100. The doctor has diagnosed him with "stress-caused dementia"...he's never been the same since Abbie's niece and little girl were killed on the way to church the morning after she had informed her grandparents that she was pregnant and expecting another child.
Even on "good" days he has a lot of problems with his memory--who you are, where he's just been. The two days we were there were thankfully some of his better days... Abbie's brother wrote that a few days after we left, Dad was having some "bad" days.
And not the least of which to be celebrated...
But there was another anniversary while we were there. Abbie and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary on August 12, as we came over the Rocky Mountains, and we spent the night at Vail, Colorado. It's mainly a ski resort, of course, but we prefer the flowers in the summer to the snow of winter. The Alpine-type constructions were a reminder that on August 12, 1991, our 25th wedding anniversary, we were in Zurich and going for a ride through the Swiss Alps. Being in Vail is almost like being back in Europe.
posted by EP | 7:30 PM | Permalink
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