We just said "So long" (which is Steve's favorite and customary send-off) to my parents and Nancy after their brief but sweet overnight visit with us here in Fort Wayne. They came to enjoy the 5th grade play "Aladdin" in which their collective grandson, Aidan, shined as the Narrator, and Tim's set piece (The Cave of Wonders) wowed the audience. The grandparents have since renamed the play "The Narrator visits The Cave of Wonders"
It was with a bit of trepidation that Nancy left Dad for an overnight trip. Thankfully, Rick and Connie Thomas stepped in to sit with Dad and keep Charlie. (Thank you from the Jr Parsleys! What a gift!) Rick even helped Dad spell and send a special message. "Aidan, I know you will be the "star" Nancy, glad you are there. Love to you all" See the picture of his selfie in the picture column---->
His message brought our entire dinner theater table to tears. This syndrome has robbed him of so much, including his ability to share loving messages with his family, because of the effort required to spell each word. They say that each person has only so many words to use each day (I think the joke is that women have like 100,000 and men only 10,000) and right now dad has to use his words to express simple and basic needs. Seeing his message helped us all see past the sickness and engage with our loving family member that is so often just out of reach.
We missed him and look forward to the day that he can come visit, eat some banana pudding cake with us by the pool, and watch Aidan's video with Evy on his lap.
This post also brought tears to my eyes! Thank you God for the small things that feel so HUGE to us!!! ~ Tami Shirer
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that Nancy got to be with her family in Fort Wayne and that Rick and Connie Thomas were able to help out and so thoughtfully posted Steve's message for you all to see. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
ReplyDeleteSue Ann & Wally Walker