Milestones

I suspected that Mom, who left the world 3 years ago, would be causing trouble on her birthday, which was yesterday. I was hesitant to be on an airplane on that day. I even made sure to monitor my car and house keys and have a backup system, because making me lose keys is her usual routine. However, I didn’t think that she would trigger the disappearance of my credit card as soon as I arrived to visit Dad. One minute we used it for pizza, then I went to buy him some pickles, and whoosh, it was gone. Okay, I understand Mom was jealous that we were having a good time on her special day. She wanted her own slice of the action. Perhaps there is a shopping mall in the great beyond with a fantastic sale and she wanted to get herself a present. I fully expect her to return the card on Friday, just in time for Dad’s 94th birthday.

I stopped using logic long ago to understand my parents, both dead and alive. Dad fixed his broken footstool with a toothpick, and it works fine. He naps in mid-sentence but miraculously wakes up when there’s a meal nearby. He’s doing well despite his terrible nutritional habits. He says that he doesn’t want a party this year, although I don’t quite believe him. Instead I purchased tickets for a special boat cruise to see the Tall Ships Parade up close in San Diego Bay, and he’s delighted. When I asked if he wanted me to accompany him to Yoga class today, he said “hell no, I travel really fast with my walker and you can’t catch up.” Roll along, Dad.