Up on the rooftop, ho ho ho!

Posted on by under Childlike, Cleanliness, eye of beholder, Good news, Holidays, Thankful

What to my wondering eyes did appear yesterday, but my smiling husband, a grin ear to ear. Like a child on Christmas morning, Peter was obviously tickled as Santa climbed up and down a red ladder, accompanied by carols. When Leslie bought the toy she knew Peter wouldn’t be able figure it out himself, but she also knew it would make him laugh. Activities director Hailey set it up for him and arranged our FaceTime call as she does every week. When I answered, he was grinning delightedly at the clever Santa Claus.

What a thrill to be able to post good news today, a dramatic change from my previous post which oozed gloom to rival Charles Dickens’ stories. Peter eyes twinkled and he looked more lively. A right jolly old elf. He’d had a shower, his hair was clean if badly in need of cutting, his nails had been trimmed, he wore clean clothes and his new slippers and socks. Joy to my world!

Cheers to whoever prodded my husband to bathe and endure a manicure. He’s a real bear when he doesn’t want to do something.

Unlike the previous few weeks’ calls, Peter was just more present. He was able to converse a bit and he laughed at my pathetic attempts to sing “Jingle Bells.” He even appreciated my sparkly green Christmas ball earrings and was surprised I had two of them. “I do have two ears you know,” I said.

When he asked what I’d been doing, I said I’d baked my annual whiskey cakes. “Remember them? You and your dad loved them,” I said. “Both of you complained I didn’t use enough whiskey.” He shook his head. “No? Oh well, I won’t bring you any then,” I said.

I switched topics and named some old pals from his days at “Generous” Electric. “Do you remember Gary…Dick…Jerry…Vince, Joe or Bill…?” I asked. He nodded. “Of course I remember them!”

“Hmpfh, you remember your old buddies but you don’t remember my whiskey cake! That’s it, I’ll eat it all myself,” I teased.

Quick as a wink, he came back. “I remember now. Never enough whiskey in it though.” His sly smile said he knew I would never eat it all and that he would get his share.

If I were to talk to him today a different scene might be in play. But I like to think that a combination of the clever Santa, a spruce-up and, yes, perhaps the change of meds, all played a part in Peter’s better yesterday. I know, it made my day!

Photos: For all his wild gray hair and beard, Peter looks like a child on Christmas day.

21 thoughts on “Up on the rooftop, ho ho ho!”

    • Indeed. Thanks, Bette. Maybe only that day, but at least a day. He was so much improved. Such a wicked disease to pull such tricks.

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    • Thanks, Bill. He was in rare form yesterday. Could you tell he was wearing the rugby shirt you gave him several years ago? ❤

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  8. A Christmas gift for you from Peter, and just what you needed! I love the banter 😊. Thanks for including the picture!
    Karolyn

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  9. Oh, I loved this post! Amazing how it can make your day, week, month to see Peter enjoying the moment. And after reading the previous post it demonstrates all the more the ups and downs of this disease.

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  10. I am so glad and happy Pete was doing better than your last post. It is hard for me and I know it is way harder to see the way Pete is now compared to the good old days of happy go lucky days of Nobby we knew. My father also had dementia and didn’t know who I was so I understand what you are going through. I really like your blog’s as they always bring back the good memories I will always have of Pete.

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    • Thanks for your comments, Gary. Lots of good memories from those good ol’ days, one in particular is your costume at Peter’s 40th birthday party! 😉

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