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"Can you hear that?"
By juliezavala in My Turn
November 13, 2010

Image It's Saturday morning. Dad had a bowl of raisin bran and a cup of coffee and he's read the paper. I lit a fire in the fireplace and I moved his chair near the patio door so he can look out and watch the wind blowing in the trees. If a squirrel is in one of those trees then my Dad will be a happy camper. His head phones are on his head and his iPod is playing some of his favorite music. Every now and then he holds an imaginary baton and directs the orchestra. He looked over at me with a smile on his face and asked, "Can you hear that?" I smiled and waved my imaginary baton to music I certainly cannot hear. He nodded his head and went back to listening to the music and watching the trees.

Daddy has been with us since August. My husband and I sat on the couch last night talking about what our lives are like now. There have been so many changes. I asked Robert if he ever regrets inviting Dad to live with us (well, it wasn't really an invitation--more like a kidnapping since he didn't know what was going on). He reminded me that Dad is our last surviving parent between the two of us. Robert's Dad passed away at the end of last year. His step-mother died about six weeks later. My Mom died on March 25th of this year - much too soon. We both agreed that Dad is like our 85-year-old child. It really feels like he is a child sometimes. But just when I'm feeling maternal, he'll have a moment of clarity and turn back into my Dad again. Keeps me on my toes.

Robert laughed and said that he's discovered the right tone of voice to take with Dad when he wants him to go to the car with him. He says, "About ready?" in an authoritative voice. Dad stands up, nods his head and walks toward the door llike he's been in on the plan all along. We've learned that you don't ask him, you just act like it's already been decided.

When Robert was home with Dad yesterday, Dad got antsy to go somewhere...anywhere. Robert had to take him for a drive and they ended up going to Hastings book store. He lead Dad over to the large print books and one of the first he saw was a Louis L'Amour western. He handed it to Dad and found him a comfortable chair. He brought him a cup of coffee and they both sat in companionable silence, reading. Robert said he's going to go to the library next week to get him a book with large type. Maybe he won't retain what he reads but he seems to enjoy the book as he's reading it.

Today we're going to San Antonio to see an art show that includes Robert's drawing of Pancho Villa. It's a beautiful day and I'm looking forward to the drive. A friend from work mentioned a good Mexican restaurant in downtown San Antonio so we're going to try it out. We might all stay in San Antonio over night--our new family of three. I've got to start packing for the trip now.

Dad's directing the orchestra again, big smile on his face. I smile back and tell him, "I love you Daddio." Can you hear that?