Merry Christmas to all!

My father is 80, and lives in an assisted care facility about an hour's drive from where we live. My stepmother is in a facility for Alzheimer's patients very nearby. Dad spends most of his days visiting with her, but in her condition there isn't much of a relationship anymore. It is quite depressing for him. She is deteriorating quickly, and this could be her last Christmas.

Dad has been a lifelong musician. Only this past summer did he leave the community orchestra that he has been with since the early 1970's. For the first time in his adult life, he is not performing anymore.

A few weeks ago he gave up his driver's license and I "inherited" his car. He left about ten CD's in the car, mostly classical music. I have been thoroughly enjoying the music. I was surprised to find out that he didn't even have a CD player to enjoy music with anymore. We decided to get him a small boom box for Christmas. We drove over tonight to his place to give it to him, and I brought his old CD's. It was as if a light was turned on inside him. New energy that we haven't seen for a while. My daughter said that she saw the Grandpa she remembers and hasn't seen in a long time. It really made the season for him.

People get old, and then they die. That is just the way it goes. I realize how important it is to spend whatever amount of time I can with Dad. Some day he will be gone for good. Moments like tonight are precious and too few.

Give the old folks a hug this Christmas.

bfG