Another natural state...

I had a lovely day today. An elderly friend came down for dinner tonight with my mother and I. It was a joy to share the time with such a man. At one time he was a well known author and screenwriter, but now, in his 89th year, he has become very frail and in ill health. His mental anxiety is compounded by his fear of aging and of being alone. I will try to help him as much as I can.

It is one thing to observe with detachment the aging and erosion of inanimate objects. It is quite different to feel and see this happening to someone who has shared joys, holidays, summer afternoons, and enlightening conversations over the course of many years.

I am truly blessed to be living this life. I never want to forget how this came about.

Johnnyboy

Updates--and asking for help...

Mom is doing well. The other day her doctor told her flat out that she cannot ingest any alcohol at all because it interferes with her meds. As of Wednesday she hasn't had a drop. I am amazed at the sudden change. She is more alert, her energy level is better and her memory has improved. She is suffering a little ache and pain now and then, but I chalk that up to not being mildly anesthetized on a daily basis. I have also not mentioned it to her, congratulated her, reminded her, etc...I'll let this sleeping dog lie for the time being. I wonder...Was it that obvious with me? Probably more so...

I have also decided to take an Incomplete in one of my classes. It is the Creative Non-Fiction course. With the demands at home, my upcoming trip, and the advanced level of the other two courses I am taking, I cannot give this class my full attention. An 'Incomplete' means that I get to finish this during the summer semester. That means while I am away, I will have to do all the writing and send it in a couple times a week. I am planning on using Google Docs to accomplish this. I can write all the work and then Google will send it as a Word Document to my teacher. I think it will add a creative twist to the concept of non-traditional learning in the 21st Century. I hope he approves of the idea.

There is also an elderly gent who lives up the road. He is 88 years old and has no one to care for him. In the past I have been able to help him out, but my life has changed. Thankfully there is a group here in Somewheresville called 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors' who are going to try to look in on him, help him out, do the heavy lifting. I am relieved that they might be able to assist. This allows me to continue being his friend without the pressure of being his caregiver. I do that enough at home.

My life is full of 'hopes' and 'plans' that serve to assist others and give me the time I need for myself. May my Higher Power work Its wonders in my life.

I have added a picture to this post. It is following a theory about decay and decrepitude: In terms of man-made objects, I am seeing that the decay and slow decline is actually the artificial thing returning to its natural form. Grass grows, houses fall down, cars rust away to dust, regardless of our futile attempt to mold, bend, or form them into something we want.


Johnnyboy

Long time gone...

Sorry for dropping off the map for a spell, but I have been so busy with life that something had to suffer as a result. In the past that would have been an important and vital something, like family or The Self, but this time it's only my little blog, widely unread, and even spat upon by a recent 'reader'.

I have to admit that the vitriolic speechifying stunned me and left me somewhat shaken. I forget that there are angry and violent people out there who would do me and others harm because they feel it is the right thing to do and they are helping out. So I guess I have been wary of blogging as a result...as well as a busy schedule.

Not to go into specifics too much, but let's just say that my mother's health is doing well, despite the numerous trips to doctors (some scheduled, some not) and arranging for live-in homecare aides while I'm away. Mt studies are going along well, but I am suffering the Spring Semester Slam, even though I am not behind in my work. 12 credits of advanced standing courses on top of the pressures at home make for a scrambled brain, I think.

Here's the cool thing...

Yesterday was the last day of a series of medical appointments for mom. It was also a telephone class meeting with a professor about 1000 miles from here. To top this off, I have been waiting to hear from the homecare folks for weeks...So I woke up at 6AM and within 4 hours it all happened: Mom went off to her appointment, and all went well; I had my 'class' and that went well, and just when I thought it was over...The phone rang and it was them! We have set up a meeting time for them to visit mom here before to get to know her, etc...What a relief! I offered up my thanks to the Heavens for a wonderful and full day, and all before noon.

Then I took a nap.

Today is mom's birthday. She's 84. We're meeting some of her friends for lunch at the Pale Stag. Did I mention that all the women who will be caring for her when I'm away are in the Program? No coincidences here in Somewheresville...

Johnnyboy