Happy Mother’s Day!
After getting home rather late last night, the children did us the courtesy of sleeping until 9am. This was quite handy since A’s brother was picking him up at 9.30am to help set up for his mother’s 70th birthday/book launch. It was being held at the Old Scholar’s Hall at A’s school, so it was nice for his family to have an idea about where he works.
Meanwhile I had to get two children dressed and ready by myself. Call me a princess, but it’s been awhile since I’ve done that. Dexie seems to have this radar where he knows exactly where the best spot is to be under my feet. Soon enough we were all ready to go and everything was packed in the car.
The party was great. Two of A’s brothers are bakers, so it was well catered with lots of yummy food. It was lovely to see Willow and Dexie playing with their cousins. I met members of the family I hadn’t in five years! I even took the opportunity to thank A’s mum for giving me such a wonderful son. A’s grandmother, in her 97th year was there which was fantastic, she is still living independently and very sprightly. I am very proud to be part of such a wonderful family.
I had a bit of a teary on leaving but neatly repressed all the sadness, as I always do.
Then came the stressful part of the day. My Aunt and Uncle had brought my Nanna and Poppa up to the city as Poppa has to have an operation on his prostate. He has also, finally been given the diagnosis of dementia. I think he’s had signs for about 10 years, so about time, I say.
The hospital he is having the operation done in is over the other side of town, which is rather annoying in terms of me being able to provide support – why couldn’t it have been the hospital 15 minutes drive away? Nanna is staying in accomodation across the road and they will stay here after he is released from hospital. I had a chance to chat with my Auntie and Uncle (they are 6months and 5 years older than me, respectively) and got the inside scoop on what has been happening. Shows how bad health services are in the country, that’s about all I can say. Also, I gather that my mother’s death had a more profound impact on him than most people realised – he found her.
My grandparents are very much country people – being in the city is almost as stressful for Poppa as the operation itself. Nanna is incredibly stressed – she’s not used to being the squeaky wheel but she needs to be. She was worried about keeping visiting hours, but I told her that she is not so much a visitor as she is next of kin. She laughed and said that it was a bit morbid. On reflection, Poppa being in hospital might be a bit of a break for her… He can’t be the easiest person to care for.
I am looking forward to having them here, more for the sake of the children than mine. It will be good for them to spend some time with Nanna and Poppa – they don’t have much in the way of family nearby. Whenever I think about my Poppa, my mental picture is a strong, tall red-headed man who epitomised Australianess in the Slim Dusty kinda way. So to see him tonight on the hospital bed with a catheter and necessary bag is sad. It made me so happy to see him smile and laugh with Dexie and Willow – Dexie has his red hair and bright blue eyes. It was a tender moment when we left, Willow went to give him a kiss goodbye and I remember him giving me snuffly, whiskery kisses as a child.
A’s brother dropped him off at the hospital – he had stayed behind to clean up and lock up. After walking Nanna over to her accommodation, we drove home, stopping at Maccas for some stuff they called food.
A gave me a lovely present when we got home:
It is very sweet and much appreciated. We already have this one, so the family is complete:
