Neil is a study in resilence and adaptability. He reminds me everyday that the human spirit can soar while the body is mal functioning. When am sad or express pity, he reminds me that there are so many who are worse of than he is. How did he get to be so mentally healthy? Where does that strength come from? He continues to be my teacher/hero.
He has been in bed for 3 wks 24/7. But having said that, we do have our angel team in
place. Yesterday Paul Roth was in town and a mtg of the men's club was called and held in our bedroom, which is also our living room,dinning room and sleeping room.
People stream in and out.. new friends and old friends. Delores, our health care aide has a new puppy, Blossom, who gets in bed with Neil each moring and snuggles with him and makes us both smile. She is a cutie and we encourage Delores to bring her everyday.She is very well behaved and we are fond of her. Blossom thinks this is her home.
Tomorrow I will go to an art retreat with my art group and Paul will come over and be with Neil. So kind of him as his daughter and grandaugher are also here.
Ron and Pat Rabin are in town and they remind us so much of us when we first moved here. They are having fun fixing up their house and are discovering the fascinating little nooks and crannies of Saraosta. I only wish Neil were able to give him his special Sarasota tour.. he so enjoyed giving it... He thinks of it as his town.
I encourage Neil to get out of bed, but because his heart is so weak, he is recluctant to even try. Last time he did, he got very sick.
His bed is safe and he has control over his surroundings. He has difficulty turning the pages of newspapers and books, so I read to him and he loves that. I enjoy it too. I read him the Huffinton Post and am in the middle of a good mystery. Evenings are my favorite time with him.. the day is done and we can read, talk, watch a movie etc.
Delores is a love, but it is another person in the house. Neil and I enjoy our private time together.
We both feel that we are lucky to have found each other and to have had the good fortune to move to Sarasota. We have had such a grand tme living here..... operas, shul events, beach, theather, parties and so many deliciously wonderful friends. We are truly farklepmt by the love extended to us from both new and old friends.. last nite two neighbors we barely know called to offer to come and stay with Neil or grocery shop etc... I hope I have the strength, sensitivity to pay it forward.
Both Goldie and Jennifer Singer our wonderful rabbis have been a source of love, light, strength..
Our children/grandchildren are our secret weapon. We live for the funny stories, pix and videos and visits from them.. of which there has been an abundance.
Neil is happy to just hold their hands and look at their faces.
Morgan, our hospice nurse visited today; she and neil have a special bond.
I wish I could video tape her visits. I usually walk in the door to bursts of laughter.
She is tough and honest, nohting is sugar coated. But she is smart and kind and it is clear that she cares for us and has our best interests at heart.
We have both become so fond of her. When she comes, Delores pull up a chair and gets ready for the banter.. Only Neil could turn a session with a hospice nurse into a comedy hour.
Love and peace to all of you from us.
Cheryl
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