When Grandma Alice was in the apartment I kept busy all day, protecting her. I was a paragon, a perfect 4-legged granny nanny. I slept under her walker and by her bed. I followed her to the bathroom and shower to make sure she stayed safe. One night she got up and headed to the bathroom while I was sleeping on the floor near Jane’s bed. Grandma should have called my name and I would have escorted her. I didn’t hear her until it was too late, after she fell.

Jane tells me that Grandma is okay and gaining strength and confidence at the rehab center. In the meantime, I don’t have much to do. When Jane is home I keep her company and lift her spirits. We walk, but not like before. Daytime temps have been near 90 degrees each day, so we are somewhat home-bound. Jane stays busy doing grandma’s laundry, calling senior service organizations, visiting assisted living centers, picking up prescriptions, stopping for Grandma’s fresh fruit and returning calls that come to the apartment. The rest of the time she reads or thinks about sewing but never gets started. She is mopey.  The only thing that brings her joy is talk about Silas, the grandbaby-in utero.

Is she crazy about Silas, or what? At the fabric store last week Jane found the fabric needed for the nursery curtains. She didn’t want to run out so she bought the whole bolt- 8 yards. She thinks she might have enough now. She also bought fabric for bibs. Why are human babies so messy, anyway? They are spoon-fed! I never use a bib and I eat from a bowl on the floor.  Mmmmmm. Now I dream about wearing a little bib while Jane spoon-feeds me some of that foo-foo dog food in the little cans. No luck so far. I am getting expensive treats, thanks to Jane’s guilty conscience. I also get a spoon with peanut butter each day. I can put up with anything when peanut butter is the payoff.

So, we are hanging in there. Decisions will come next week regarding where Grandma and Grandpa will go – either back home or assisted living. They want to come home, of course, so we are working hard to make that happen for them. I am trying to nudge Jane to enjoy the restaurants and culture (music, art, etc) around here, to give herself a break.

That is the update for now. We will keep you posted!

Paragon