Sorry for no recent blogs.  Anne and I have been busy of late.  I write now to provide an update.  We are currently at the condominium near Fort Myers with Mom and Dad Woods.  Their ability to travel here in early January was uncertain, but in the end the mission became a go.  As in the past, their time here has been somewhat restorative.  Yesterday both swam in the pool.  They enjoy the sunshine each day.  Usually that is outside, but if not, then on the back porch in the afternoon. 

They enjoy what they can.  This morning we took them out for breakfast with their friends, Jim and Honey, at the Bagel Bagel cafe.  Tomorrow the senior Davidsons will join us for a “superbowl party.”  Time passes.  Dad’s respiration is still hard.  May not be any worse, but not better.  He sits quietly at times with his eyes closed, wants snacks when he can get them, and demands music playing throughout the night.  Mom is sharp as ever in conversation but her short-term memory is going kaput.  That frustrates her, but we can joke about it.  She insists on walking which is hazardous.  We try to stay close when she does, but sometimes it is unannounced.  We could, I suppose, restrict her to chairs, but are we to pretend we can extend life forever or let her live for the joy of it knowing we are mortal and not long for this world?

Anne and I can only watch and appreciate what a rich life they have had and be honored to provide necessary care as they reach this difficult stage of their lives.

The winter season here has been warm and wet.  That is good for the mosquitoes and the tourists.  Anne I made a four-day tour of the Everglades and the Florida Keys upon our arrival before we settled into serious elder care.  Now we get out together as we can for brief periods.  Aide, Rose, makes this possible on week days. 

Our arrival coincided with the sudden illness and loss today of a close friend in Naples.  Our being here was perhaps good.  We could provide support to her and to her spouse and family.  Now we quietly mourn the loss on this spectacularly beautiful Florida morning as the world continues without attention to our private sadness. 

We will remain here only a few more weeks.  This year’s Florida retreat was supposed to be short for Mom and Dad.  Now they may stay a bit longer than originally thought, but others of their children will arrive to replace us at the end of February. 

We promised son, Alex, a visit in winter and will fly to San Francisco shortly after returning home.  We’ll enjoy a week in the Golden City and then chase birds in the central Valley before again returning home in March. 

Daughter Elley’s due date is March 28, so we must be in place in the Northeast for that great event.  We will probably spend much of April in or near the Big Apple.  Those in that region may look for our possible visits in that month.  Then again we may to busy helping.

So go the twists and turns of our lives.  We take the bad news with the good and look forward to tomorrow.