Visitors

My dad got visitors today: me and his wife.

The old couple had exceptionally little to talk about. So despite of Corona restrictions, I went a bit closer to him, a meter distance and showed him some photos and two videos of his poodle from my telephone. And I told him news from his grandchildren and from my husband and greetings from his cousin, that had called me last week. He smiled at me and almost aloud answered to some of my question.

In the end we only had a half an hour to spend together. It is a short time. I took 10 minutes out of it and then let the room and space to his wife. Even if that she told that she seldom has anything to chat about. I noticed that she did not have anything now either. She only asked my father to answer, if she was his darling. And she asked my father to tell a joke.

What???

Of course I understand that they love each other and that step-mom is overwhelmed somehow about the situation.

Still I honestly wonder, what was in my step-mom's mind as she tried to make my father speak. He just can not speak anymore. It must feel awkward and uncomfortable to him. The Alzheimer disease has taken his words. So if my step-mom has nothing to tell to him, nothing to chat about, no issue prepared, no news, nor imagination whatsoever, would it be better to stay away then?

I was happy as my father was in so good shape and in good mood meeting me, though.


Susanna