I have been traveling all week. As always my mind drifts back to 1019, wondering how Mom and Dad are faring without me. Wow, that sounds like they are totally lost without my guiding hand. Or maybe it is a controlling hand. Or maybe it is a caring heart that is all too familiar with the daily pitfalls, hiding in the corners of their routine. I best knock myself off the saint-pedestal before I ask for Papal sanctification.
On Tuesday, my girls were treated to dinner at their favorite restaurant. The pitfalls that lie in wait of every restaurant outing is alcohol. I have never spoke of Mom’s taste for wine. At home, she starts with one glass and then continues to pour ½ a glass of wine until it is all gone. At a restaurant she continually orders one glass after another. Dad, on the other hand, has a penchant for martini’s when dining out. He finally, finally, finally realized that it is all alcohol and at his age, combined with his zillion meds, he can no longer handle an 8 ounce glass of pure alcohol. So he switched to gin and tonics. He stops at one and then switches to wine.
Grandparents and granddaughters were off to a night of who knows what. I sat in my hotel room Tuesday evening, watching the clock, wondering how it was going. It is very difficult for my girls to limit my folks. They love their mémère and pépère, but don’t feel comfortable taking the glasses out of their hands. I don’t expect them to be the alcohol-police.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I texted Adrienne and asked how everything was going. She called ten minutes later to tell me that it was a great dinner. Yea! Thank you God! Mom had only a half glass of wine. Dad didn’t even finish is g&t and took only a few sips of his wine. Adrienne said they chatted about Emily’s upcoming trip to Europe, Adrienne’s school activities with Dad, of course, filling in the gaps with stories.
I am so thrilled that they had a great time. I am so proud of my girls. And I am happy that Mom and Dad had a chance to make a special memory with their beloved granddaughters. They have eight other grandchildren, who are all loved. But since I am writing this piece, I can claim my girls as their beloveds.
Through the daily confusion and repetitive questions, this memory is a piece of fine cut crystal, sparkling so brightly, it illuminates the dark moments.
Peace,
JaneEllen
On Tuesday, my girls were treated to dinner at their favorite restaurant. The pitfalls that lie in wait of every restaurant outing is alcohol. I have never spoke of Mom’s taste for wine. At home, she starts with one glass and then continues to pour ½ a glass of wine until it is all gone. At a restaurant she continually orders one glass after another. Dad, on the other hand, has a penchant for martini’s when dining out. He finally, finally, finally realized that it is all alcohol and at his age, combined with his zillion meds, he can no longer handle an 8 ounce glass of pure alcohol. So he switched to gin and tonics. He stops at one and then switches to wine.
Grandparents and granddaughters were off to a night of who knows what. I sat in my hotel room Tuesday evening, watching the clock, wondering how it was going. It is very difficult for my girls to limit my folks. They love their mémère and pépère, but don’t feel comfortable taking the glasses out of their hands. I don’t expect them to be the alcohol-police.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I texted Adrienne and asked how everything was going. She called ten minutes later to tell me that it was a great dinner. Yea! Thank you God! Mom had only a half glass of wine. Dad didn’t even finish is g&t and took only a few sips of his wine. Adrienne said they chatted about Emily’s upcoming trip to Europe, Adrienne’s school activities with Dad, of course, filling in the gaps with stories.
I am so thrilled that they had a great time. I am so proud of my girls. And I am happy that Mom and Dad had a chance to make a special memory with their beloved granddaughters. They have eight other grandchildren, who are all loved. But since I am writing this piece, I can claim my girls as their beloveds.
Through the daily confusion and repetitive questions, this memory is a piece of fine cut crystal, sparkling so brightly, it illuminates the dark moments.
Peace,
JaneEllen
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1 comment:
You have such a way with words...it's truly amazing, my friend! So glad that the dinner went well and that the girls will have such a wonderful memory.
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