Christmas is over. The stress is gone. My tree is down and I feel peace inside sitting here today. It is not too difficult to go back over the Christmas Day celebration with my kids and their kids and reflect. It was so nice to have most of the family here, and yet there was tension and not as much laughter as I had hoped for. It is alright. As I told you the other day, I have made a strict rule to let it go. I can’t change anyone. Only people can change if they want to.
Today I went to see Al. Al the one who felt threatened by his dad who never knew how to show any feelings. Al was a big guy. He still is but believe it or not, he is fifty pounds lighter due to the Parkinson’s Disease.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to get to go or not. The weather was predicting snow and I am a big baby to drive on it. My car is not meant for northern winters either. God closed up the skies and let me know that he was with me by keeping it dry outside with just a hint of a snowflake here and there.
When I walked in to his room, he was sound asleep. I tickled his foot and he opened those eyes and peered at me and I got the faintest of smiles. As he became more aware of my presence, I got an even bigger smile. He sat up and we chatted. He asked for more of his vintage cars and I said I would bring two the next time I came to visit. I told him I brought him more diet coke, and I got the biggest smile ever. He and his coca are best friends.
I take great care to not miss one tiny action that lets me know he is tolerating pain for the day. Today he was having a good day. Thank-you God. Before I realized it, time had ticked to noon and he got up to use the bathroom so he could go to lunch. I waited and walked with him down to the dining room. His eating buddy who also has Parkinson’s was sitting at a near by table trying to get the border of a new puzzle figured out.
I asked him if he wanted help and he said sure, so I helped him turn all the puzzle pieces right side up and we found all the straight-edge pieces. I think he was so glad for my help. He looked up at me and gave me the biggest grin.
Now tell me, which would you choose? A Christmas that was slightly strained, or a quiet visit with Al who gave me the most genuine smile he could muster. He was truly glad I was there. He may be middle-aged. He may be mentally-impaired. He may have PD, but he is sincere, honest, and open. It was a breath of fresh air. I will take those little smiles over anything else because they make me feel special, loved and needed. I love you bud.
Several have asked about Al here at WordPress, and so with Al’s permission I snapped some photos of him today and his room.
It is lovely to see Al and that you had a great smile and a good day with him. This is priceless.
LikeLike
thank you. those smiles I have asked for so many times and now I am getting them
LikeLike
Nice to see Al in his Coke Cola outfit. Wishing a blessed and better New Year ahead for both of you.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
LikeLike
thank you. I hope you have a happy new year also
LikeLike
My son had the same PJ’s when he was more into the COKE collecting…wore them out!…You might not get Al out of them!
LikeLike
he has I think three or four of these. he does live in them!!!!!
LikeLike
God bless you!
LikeLike
thank you lgy!!!!
LikeLike
Best wishes in the new year for you and Al.
LikeLike
I hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve! and thank you
LikeLike
so glad the weather was mild enough for you to get out and see al:)
LikeLike
I hesitated going because it was snowing, but the main roads were not bad. I have told Al that sometimes I may not get out there because of frigid temps and or snow. He seemed to understand
LikeLike
Love his Coca-Cola pajamas, Terry! lol I’d take a date with Al any day. Feeling loved and special…well, that’s what Life’s about. Happy New Year, my friend! xoxoM
LikeLike
thank you Margarita!!! I feel the same way. He has I think three or four of those same pants, lol
LikeLike
I love that outfit! He looks like a sweetheart! xo
Luanne
LikeLike
he is a sweetheart, at least to me, lol, thanks for the nice comment Luce!!!!
LikeLike
So glad you had a good visit with Al. Love the pics!
LikeLike
thanks Barb, I love it when he is having a good day
LikeLike
Wonderful to see Al is a smiley mood … I understand how much it means to you – that he is happy. Great photo – he look great in red.
LikeLike
he loves coca cola, whether drinking, looking at, or wearing it, hehe. it does mean a great deal to me to be able to see a smile now and then
LikeLike
It is a wonderful post and great photos!
LikeLike
thank you my friend
LikeLike
Lovely company. Christmas is all about love and the beautiful smiles that are genuine from the very person that you love. This red is so cheerful.
LikeLike
thank you so much Janet. Thank you for allowing me to share this with you. You are so on target with your comment!
LikeLike
So happy to put a face to the name! I feel like I know Al already!
LikeLike
I never thought of this, but I bet it does help to associate the picture with the name. I am glad I did it now!!! Thanks!
LikeLike
Always great to see your writing. Love the coca colas! Very festive 😀
LikeLike
Al is just crazy about coca cola and old cars. So nice to see you again Pink!!!
LikeLike
I have missed you! I have been hiding a bit since my last post, it was intensely personal. It really does take a lot of guts to keep posting, I admire you so much for this… 😀
LikeLike
we have to be ourselves in order to heal, keep our faith alive in mankind, and be happy. Big hugs Pink. I have always admired you
LikeLike
Me? I have always admired YOU! So incredibly strong, powerful, really you are
LikeLike
that is so kind of you to say………….thank you
LikeLike
🙂 …that’s it.
LikeLike
thank you!
LikeLike
i’m glad you had a nice time and Al had a good day!
LikeLike
thanks, I love the good days!!!!!
LikeLike
Glad your day with Al was so encouraging, Terry. He looks at peace in that photo. I’m happy the snow stayed away for you. We had a little here today, but we had quite a bit dumped on us a couple of days ago. Makes me want to hibernate with the bears. 🙂
LikeLike
me too!!!! getting out of my neighborhood to the main road is the big obstacle!!!
LikeLike
Fantastic!
LikeLike
thanks Julie. It was so nice to have a good day with him
LikeLike
I don’t know how I lost touch with you and Al. It was so good to see how he’s doing. I think it’s wonderful how you’ve taken such good care of him.
LikeLike
where have you been all these months? I really have missed you. so happy to see you again Teresa!!!!!! thanks for a wonderful comment
LikeLike
I think your time with Al sounded so special! So glad that you got to be there and he was having a good day! God bless you, Terry!
LikeLike
thanks Debbie, it was wonderful to see a good day for a change!!!
LikeLike
Hi Debbie, I just nominated you for the Reality Blog Award!
LikeLike
It was so wonderful to see the pictures of Al, and I’m so glad you were able to make it over there! The two of you are so blessed to have each other. I wish I could just package up a big ol’ hug and send it to the both of you! I’m still hoping the cards I sent to Al will make it and hoping he will like them. Happy New Year to you both!
LikeLike
Hi Jim, I did receive the cards yesterday in the mail. I want to thank you so much for thinking of us. I took the mail to Al so he could see it and he seemed to enjoy it. Thank you so much my friend.
Happy New Year to you!!!
LikeLike
Hi Jim, I just nominated you for the Reality Blogger Award
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Terry! I will work on a post right away! Happy New Year, Dear!
LikeLike
you are so welcome enjoy it!
LikeLike
Great photos!
LikeLike
thank you
LikeLike
Hey there, I just nominated you for the Reality Blogger Award!!!
LikeLike
It’s the seemingly small things in life that bring us the greatest joy and add to our memories. Thanks for sharing a bit of your joy with us! Happy Blessed New Year!
LikeLike
Hi Valarie, I have just nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogging Award. I hope you accept!
LikeLike
I did, I hope I did it right. Thanks for the nomination it was love in action towards me and I apreciate that very much. Have a blessed New Year!
LikeLike
you too Valarie!!! Hope the new year brings you many blessings
LikeLike
you are definitely right. It is always the smallest of things, unexpected things, that bring us the greatest joy, Have a Wonderful New Year!
LikeLike
So glad to hear you had a good day with Al 🙂
LikeLike
I really did, thank you Brian
LikeLike
I’m so glad to hear that Al is doing well and that you had a good day together..I’m sure you loved that Terry 🙂
LikeLike
i really did!!
LikeLike
i am so glad that you had one good day make up for another. Smiles from people who are genuinely happy to see you are always the best!
LikeLike
they certainly are. It makes all the sadness run behind the clouds
LikeLike
This was wonderful to read and definitely made me smile knowing such little actions can cause such a great sense of happiness 🙂 God bless you and Al!
LikeLike
thank you so much Kae!!!! I am so happy to have shared this with you
LikeLike