Closer

It could be any time now. Our niece continues to decline from her cancer. Breathing is harder. The only medication she takes now are for pain anxiety. Family members came by all day. My niece’s room was always filled with their respectful, loving presence, in various combinations.

Caregiver Pain

Things are getting worse. Getting her up is harder. Her feet don’t work. She has to stay in bed. Cousin J is here to help. He loves her. He wraps his arms around her and muscles her into position when she slides down. She’s not talking any more. Back aches. It’s hard to move, let […]

Interview with Sidra

Once again, my granddaughter Sidra and I set aside some time to chat about what is happening in her life. We started this just before her brother Will was born (Being a New Sibling, 6 Months Later: Being a New Sibling, Sib Interview – One Year Followup). The Interview: J: It’s been a while since […]

Made To Be Broken

Rules were made to be broken. I didn’t expect it to be so soon. Only yesterday I thought that the subject of my abstract compositions would coalesce after I finished painting, thus the title of my post yesterday, Paint Now, Add Title Later. Today, I broke that rule. Today’s watercolor experiment: I dripped my frisket […]

Sib Interview – One Year Followup

Last year, I interviewed my granddaughter, Sidra, just before her brother Will was born. Tomorrow (4-17-14) will be Will’s first birthday. I asked Sidra to chat with me again about her first year as a big sister. (See also Interview at 6 months.) Sidra (9 years old): Year one: I was so excited because I […]

Properly Figured

I am a logical person. I also am pretty well informed. When it comes to helping other people, I am usually right on the money with my analysis of the problems of other people and suggested solutions; solutions that makes perfect sense to me. Mystery I am flummoxed by the fact that no matter how […]

Another Day of Travel

I wrote this post earlier, since I am traveling once again, this time, to New Jersey to see Mom and my two brothers. My anxiety level is not too bad, since my wife made prior arrangements for ground travel. I hate doing that kind of thing. I am taking my journal along to jot down […]

Ready, Set… JUMP!

William said his first word to me yesterday. Amazing for a 6 month old, but true. This is how it happened… He was standing on my lap and I made up this game. I said, “Ready… set…. JUMP!!” He seemed to enjoy it, so we just kept playing. I knew he was anticipating the jump, when I […]

Getting Ready

One of the whole points of being in Chicago at this time of year is to experience Halloween with the grandkids. My other daughter will also be here with her boyfriend, so it will be a great reunion. William has a skeleton T-shirt, and another outfit that resembles Frankenstein, in a way. But frankly (pardon […]

Wrinkle in Time

Perfection It was the picture perfect family event. Grandparents visiting, doting over the baby they hadn’t seen in over five months. Grandpa had a special name, distinguishing him from the other two grandfathers. His first wife had a child from a first marriage and never ever wanted to go through that experience again. There must […]

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