I initially thought to bring Ashley along because my brother, who lives in Ottawa, was going to bring his daughter (who is a year older than Ashley) down as well, and it would be a good chance for the cousins to see each other again. As it turned out, my niece couldn't make it, so just my brother came down.
We all had a good visit just the same and, I think, gave my step-mother a much-needed dose of moral support. She's been on her own in terms of caring for my dad and does a wonderful job of visiting him daily, but I'm sure sometimes she feels that it's all up to her. It really sucks having aging parents that live in a different city from you. My brother and I are so grateful that our step-mom is there for our dad.
Before we got to Toronto, there was one part of the visit that I was nervous about: What would Ashley think about seeing her grandfather in a nursing home? (All of her grandparents in Vancouver are in their 70s and healthy and active.) And, how would she react to the other Alzheimer's patients in the home and their sometimes odd behaviour? Well, I shouldn't have worried. She totally AMAZED ME! She was so natural and accepting, and just wanted to help him out. "Can I push the wheelchair, Mom?" "Can I help feed Opa his snack?" As for the other patients in the nursing home, she was more curious than worried or frightened.
Never underestimate the capacity of a six-year-old.
They are amazing, aren't they? We took Brett to see his Granma in what turned out to be her last week while she was in a hospice in Vernon. She had the tubes in her nose and no hair, but was alert and able to converse. Brett quite happily told her about school and his toys, and didn't appear to take any notice of her declining energy or illness. Do kids just see the spirit or is it that they're just so much more accepting? Good for Ashley! I hope she'll always remember the fun trip to TO and visiting her Opa.
ReplyDeletePS: wasn't the weather in TO fabulous?! We were there at about the same time.