My trip to Denver (along with my youngest son), was heart wrenching, heartfelt, and beautiful all at the same time. My brother has a rapid demise of ALS. He has a great, loving, supportive wife, a super sense of humor and keeping a positive attitude of what life has thrown him. My son and I learned how to care for him and we shared some wonderful moments.
Someone, I think Evelyn or Brenda (cyber-friends) told me things I could do for him to entertain him. I bought him a digital photo frame and put pictures on it from our childhood till present. I took pictures of his favorite places he liked to visit growing up here in South Carolina. ( I put a caption for each pic so people wouldn't have to ask him since his speaking is now quite limited to a whisper. He was overwhelmed with happiness. I have encouraged his friends to send pictures to his wife so she can add pictures of other great life moments.
I fed him some of his favorite things from home that he couldn't get in Denver. Yup, I dragged fresh peaches and my garden tomatoes through the airports just for him...also a 3 lb. bag of white grits and yellow grits. ( There were a few peach casualties). I made him peach cobbler, yummy tomato sandwiches (with Duke's mayo and white bread). He ate grits and eggs every morning and top it off with fresh sliced peaches.
My son had "those special moments" with his uncle that he will never forget and will always cherish. Mitchell was so much help and Steve appreciated "man time" with a fellow lover of sports and just being with his nephew. Steve said Mitchell did better massages than me..haha Mitchell's already trying to plan when he can go for another visit, but airplane flights and rental cars are expensive and he is entering a very hard senior year at college with a special major in chemistry. We will work hard to make the trip happen. Time is not on our side so we will make the trip during his upcoming winter college break.
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| Steve and me |
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| Steve and Mitchell...don't they look dapper in their new shirts |
So glad you had thàt time together.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photographs, you all look so happy together. Your handsome son looks like his uncle.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you all.
Jackie xx
You and your brother really look alike!! These are two more photos you can add to the digital frame! (That must have been Brenda's idea, not mine, but I love it!)
ReplyDeleteEvelyn
You are so lucky to have had a lovely time with your brother, my brother had Motor Neurone Disease, which I understand is practically the same. They are cruel diseases. My prayers go out to you and your brother and family.
ReplyDeleteCely, what a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. It is hard to watch our loved ones going through this. Hope your son can go again soon.
ReplyDeleteMyrna
Despite the circumstances, it sounds like a wonderful trip - peach casualties and all. I really hope you do make it out again this winter!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Cely. I'm so glad the trip went well. Your son and your brother look so much alike. The genetics on your side of the family are definitely the strongest. :-D
ReplyDeleteThe resemblance is striking for both you and your son. What special times spent together. Special memories that neither of you will forget. Hang on to hose happy times. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to spend that time with your brother! ALS is so difficult and I'm thankful your brother has a loving supporting family!!
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