Pamela Schifano – @pammypoo on Substack
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As usual these days, the visit to Harvey in the nursing home was mixed. I took the painting I had done of our mailbox decoration of Wyle E. Coyote, Sonic the Hedgehog, and the Roadrunner. He liked it and wanted it put up on his happy wall – AFTER I assured him that we would make SURE we would include it when we went back to Arkansas and put up all the pictures on a cork board in our shop there…
He made no sense at all, otherwise, but seemed happy to see us. He was quite talkative, and we just held his hands and nodded and commented at appropriate times. We did contact his nurse after we left, asking if she was all right, since Harvey was talking about being shagrinned that he could not subdue a 90-pound girl. Apparently, he was trying to get her phone, and she was preventing him from getting out of bed or grabbing it. Hence, the reason we keep seeing the padded gloves on the couch when we visit. I told him we would see him soon. He said ‘soon’ was a relative term. I showed him where to look on his watch for what day it was. I told him we would plan to be back Tuesday. I’ve showed him this many times, but it isn’t sticking.
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I went to the cafe, only to see a sign posted outside saying there was a scheduled power outage today while some work was being done and they would open at 4pm. That’s the time I come back to my place after being there a couple of hours, so I’m at my place, writing blog posts and sketching here.
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Someone on Substack suggested that I do a series of articles on my impressions on moving to Thailand, incorporating my sketches and explanations of why I did each. I’m going to try it and see if anyone is interested.
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I opted out of the gym this morning after becoming ill yesterday. I slept in and then joined Brian for breakfast before we went to visit Harvey. I feel much better today, so I think I’m over whatever the problem was. I’ll go to the gym as usual in the morning.
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I hope you enjoyed the “I Wanna Grow Old With You” video I posted yesterday. I still tear up when I even think of it. It truly got me right where I live. I have saved it on my computer so I can watch it again. The love and lives they shared were so heartwarming. Her enthusiasm for life and living it to the fullest was beautiful to see, and his support and love brought tears to my eyes.
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I had a chat with a friend just before starting this post. This image seemed fitting.
Tinneke van Bergen
You’re one strong talented amazing woman!
Well, thanks, but I’m just a lady doing the best she can.
I agree with Linda Smith, you are one strong, talented and amazing woman! You have been through so much, still going through so much, yet you still try to help others, which I know you have helped me. I cannot fully express how grateful and Blessed I am to have found you on this site some time ago. I love all the pictures and stories about what you are and were doing previously before Thailand and now, as well. You make it all seem so effortless, but I am sure it is not as easy as it looks from the outside. Thank you for sharing all that you do. (Donna)
Wow, Donna. You and Linda are so kind. We are all in this world together, and I am so happy if I have helped you in any way.
“I Wanna Grow Old With You” is this song I sang to Richard when we got married. We had seen Adam Sandler sing it in the airplane scene in the movie, The Wedding Singer. It became our song.
I hear you about Harvey, and while we know this is how it’s going to be, it doesn’t make experiencing his moods any less painful. I am sorry you’re dealing with that, Linda.
Glad you’re feeling better!
Oh, what a wonderful mental picture I have now of you singing to Richard! I have tears in my eyes again just thinking of the song. I’ll have to give myself time to watch and listen to the video again today. Yes, it’s heart-wrenching to go visit and see what is happening to the man I have loved essentially my whole life, but I’m SO grateful we found a caring home with a staff that is doing everything possible to make him comfortable and keep his present health as positive as possible. They sent a short video of his nurse feeding him some kind of noodle dish yesterday. I’m hoping that since he didn’t choke, they will continue bringing real food when appropriate in addition to the nasal tube feedings.