Monday, March 23, 2015

Letters to Papa: February


Dear Papa,

On this bright sunny morning in February I visited you. I found you in your red shirt, asleep in the tv room. It was hard to look at you. Your head covered in plaque and crust, your forehead dotted with scabs, your left ear plugged with gauze. I told the nurse it was so hard to see you this way. He reminded me the perhaps the dementia helps you to cope with the physical challenges.

I took you to your room, parked you in the sunshine, and put on some music. I chatted away at you the whole time - not really sure if you were listening. I sat down on your bed facing you and, to my surprise, your eyes were open. You were looking at me! I got up and got close to you. I said "it's me Papa - Kristina, your granddaughter." I held your hand and you held mine. I sang along with the music, I wonder if you did too. You looked around, and mumbled. You raised your hands, tried to bring me close. I came close and hugged you, telling you how much I love you. I sang several songs with the cd before leaving to go to work. 

As always, I blessed you before going: 
May the Lord bless you and keep you...
make His face to shine upon you...
and give you peace.