Last week was Dad’s birthday and we celebrated twice! 

On Thursday, his actual birthday, Mom and I brought in balloons and a sheet cake so Dad could celebrate with the other residents in the dining room at lunch time.

 

Some of the staff came in and joined in singing “happy birthday” to him.

 

It was good to see such a smile on this day, his day!

On Saturday, we invited a few friends to come have lunch with Dad. We were able to use a nice private dining room and brought in a variety of salads and desserts, of course!

Thank you Lucy, Mark, Mike & Veronica, Harry, Ron & Jackie,

and Stan & Anita for coming and celebrating with us.

I want to share something with you… Jackie took the photo below and emailed it to me with the following comment and I just had to share it with you…

“…the one with V looking at her grandpa was very touching to me, as i had been watching her tender watch care of him for quite a few minutes…what a precious
one … that daughter of yours… she displays such gentle… unhurried love and attention… talks to him… listens to him… and guides him when he needs guiding… she has pushed through that place of FEAR that she was placed in when this began… has that beautiful face of hers always been such a lovely picture of peace ?”

I could not agree with her more!

Now I would now like to introduce you to a few people…

Alisha, Dad’s first daytime aide, who took very good care of him and made our first 3 months there a little easier. She is now working on a different hall, but from time to time comes and talks with Dad.

Eva, replaced Alisha and is getting to know Dad and us and how to best care for him.

Richard, is Dad’s roommate, who looks out for him and as he told me “thinks the world of him”.

I put up a happy birthday poster outside of Dad’s door, with the idea of having friends and family write a little note when they came by for a visit.  I was surprised when I came back the next day and found it filled up… mostly with notes from his caregivers.  I hope you can read some of them. They touched my heart.

One last thing… sharing a photo of my dear friend Kim, who has been the hands and feet of Jesus to us, especially during Dad’s hospital stay back in July.  She represents all of you have loved us not just in words but in action… whether by visits, cards, phone calls, emails, or hugs. You know who you are and to you we say thank you!

Thank you for all the birthday cards. We read them to him from time to time and are hanging them up on his wall. Pretty soon we won’t be able to see the wall!

May God bless you abundantly!