Al Hit The Jack Pot

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Al Hit The Jack Pot

It was a beautiful sunny day today. I decided to give it one more try with taking Al out. We went to Leesburg, Indiana to a country Antique store called, Alley Cats.

Al had been there previous times while he was in the nursing home. Staff from his now Day Program would come pick him up and take him on a weekly outing to get him out of the stale air.

I made sure he was as dry as possible and comfortable. We went right after lunch and he took the ride well. He has been in a pretty good mood the past week. Taking his pain medications on a regular basis has really helped him.

We arrived in no time at all and as soon as I took him and his wheelchair in he wanted to head back to the one section he knew sat a coca cola truck. We gazed at some items on the way back so I could get a look at things I am interested in.

We finally made it back to the truck and I died inside when I saw the asking price of it. I told him there was no way he could afford this. I explained that this was a whole lot of money. He did pretty good at accepting it but I could see the huge disappointment in his body. He head fell forward more and he lost the glow in his eyes.

We kept looking around and I didn’t bring up the topic again. When we got ready to leave I found the owner and explained Al’s illness and how much he wanted that truck. She told me she remembered Al and that he always got so excited when he saw it.

I told her of Al’s lack of monies and she made me an offer I could not refuse. I am soft but not too soft. I would have never purchased it if it weren’t that Al will pay for half of it and the idea that he has wanted it for about three months. Besides, who knows if Al will get so excited over coca cola again like he is today.

Here are some photos of what we saw in the store. There is Al’s new truck he got and the one framed painting of the girl holding the bird is what I got for my treat of just because. If you ever stop by the itty-bitty town of Leesburg, Indiana make sure to tell the owner’s of Alley Cat that Al sent you. There is one extra photo of Al petting Rhino this morning.

Without You Life Would Be Harder

2004 07 15 – State College – Mail to Self (Photo credit: thisisbossi)

My body and mind are tired today from yesterday’s adventures, but I am trying hard to find the good in today, so I wanted to just touch base on a couple of things.

I have decided to write the letters to the two aunts, having Al tell me what to say, then I will mail them with no return address. This way, I don’t have to be hurt anymore and I have done as Al wished.

Al and I do not know when he is going to pass on to heaven, but I tend to follow Al’s lead. He believes he is, and who am I to tell him he could be wrong. With all of the information I have googled, I find that Parkinson’s patients can live for several years in Al’s condition. For Al’s sake I hope this is not his case.

You may ask why I even went to see Julie, the sister, and the same reason is above stated, because Al feels like his time is near. I try to put myself in his shoes. If I could not drive anymore, or was no longer able to write, I would feel so frustrated that someone, who thinks they know more, would not help me finish what I think needs tended to at the end of my days.

Today, I got up because Al’s shower girl was to be here. I felt terrible in general. I think it is the emotional stress taking over. I actually came out on the couch and slept once again. Now, I am awake but feel like I have been drug through a mud bath. Moving along but in slow motion. With God’s help and the wonderful comments made by you, I will be back on top in no time at all.

So, I am taking it easy, and maybe tonight, I will write a fictional story, or add something to Al’s journey for you. If not hopefully tomorrow.

One good thing I have to add for this day, is the credit card was found! It ended up being on the floor board between the seats of my son’s truck. This was a comfort to me, although, I knew no one could use it, it is comforting to know it is now cut and in the trash.

Al is having an excellent day. He has bounce in his walk and I have heard no complaint of pain from him. I did tell him that I talked to Julie, and that she hadn’t changed from before. I told him, we would write a letter together to the two aunts, tonight after dinner.

So a few good things I have found today.

I want to thank each one of you for your comments, your words of comfort. You do so much for me and help me to keep standing. Each of you I have taken into my heart and you have become dear friends to me.

I am going to do nothing really today, just continue to heal. I can’t help but get angry at myself, that I would let another human being do this damage to me, but I am trying to improve.

God bless each one of you. I love you all.