It's been a crazy week, and I am totally mentally exhausted. But - as they say - the show must go on...
Just when I feel the sigh of relief, I am being catapulted into Christmas festivities...
So, yesterday started off with my Dad's discharge. I was there at 8:30am, but due to a mess up in the paperwork trail - he did not get discharged until 10:30am. I was really annoyed, because each minute that ticked by was one minute less I was able to be with him and settle him at the nursing home. I had to be on the road by 1pm to get through rush hour traffic in the Cities...
I was able to get him to the nursing home, and do most of the admission paperwork. Thankfully, they were very understanding, and allowed me to only do the necessary stuff - I will do the remainder today when we go back.
Once I saw his room, I knew right then and there that this was the right decision. I had seen a few nursing homes this week, and I hated all of them. My mom lived in a nursing home for the last 6 years of her life - so I am very sensitive to the smell and feel of them - and avoid them whenever possible. Touring all of these nursing homes this week was NOT something I enjoyed - and more than anything - it was NOT something I wanted for my dad. When I toured this facility earlier last week, I did not even look at the nursing home portion, I only looked at the assisted living apartment - at that time, I didn't realize that he would need nursing home care after being discharged from the hospital. However, I did a "walk through" of the nursing home section - so I knew the hallways and main gathering areas were very nice. And most important to me - it did not look/feel/smell like a nursing home.
I was still a bit nervous about it though - as it was really sight unseen. But when they showed him to his room - I nearly lost it.
Here is my dad... A gentle, loving, kind and caring person - who has lived a very HARD life with mental and physical disabilities, most often on the brink of homelessness and very much living in poverty. Because of his various disabilities, he was never able to handle a job that was much more than washing dishes or janitor work... He lived a VERY hard life, and a very physically taxing life... His body shows every bit of it.
I never once thought that his "retirement" would be easy... He has lived so much in poverty that there was never a penny put towards his care in the future... He would depend solely on his social security - what little of it that he receives.
And then my brother's foster-mom mentioned this "nursing home" that is close to where they live.
God smiled down on us - and somehow opened this bed for him - in the nicest/cleanest/safest home he has ever lived in, as far back as I can remember. A place that I could have NEVER dreamed he would be lucky enough to stay, to have people care for him, and for me to KNOW he is being treated with fairness/dignity/care/compassion...
I cried the whole way home yesterday, it was a happy cry... A cry of relief. Finally, finally, finally - my dad is in a place where I don't have to worry about him being lonely/clean/fed properly/cared for/safe... Any and all of the things that we all worry about. But more-so, because I always thought places like this were reserved for the people who COULD save for their future...
Prayers were answered yesterday... And God smiled down on my family - I am certain of that. So many things happened, and so many things fell into place - there is no other explanation. So, thank you - all of you - from the very bottom of my heart... This means absolutely the WORLD to me... And just LOOK at him... Wonderful - wonderful, it makes my heart so very, very happy, as the tears just stream down my face again.
Today starts our Christmas celebrations...
We are starting off our day with a stop at Target... I printed off a TON of pictures for my Dad's shadow-box outside of his room... So the girls and I plan to decorate that today.
Our first stop, after that, is the nursing home... The girls are so excited to see their Grandpa, they have been so worried about him all week. And I just KNOW, once they see where he is living - they will be the happiest girls in the world.
Josh went out shopping yesterday... After spending some time in my Dad's apartment this week, I knew that none of his clothes would survive washing... So, Josh purchased all new clothes for my Dad, which we will give him today... It will be disguised as part of his "Christmas gifts" - but not really, as we would have done it anyways.
Tonight, we have Christmas dinner with my foster parents... It's the first time I have been home for Christmas in several years. We are all very excited to go!
Tomorrow, I have Christmas with my Mom's family... BIG family Christmas.
Afterwards, we will do Christmas with my Dad at the nursing home again.
Then, FINALLY, we will come home... And I can breathe a sigh of relief that I can relax for a few days.
My dad will be spending Christmas day with my brother and his foster family... Thank God for them! They have been a HUGE support to me through out all of this. I couldn't have survived this week with out them!
I thought I would close this non-Disney post with a photo of the girls I printed for my Dad's room... I hope it makes him smile when he sees it... And I hope it makes all of you smile too...
Now that all of this is over... Or, I should say, not as crazy... I hope to have some Disney updates for you all soon.
Much love to all of you... Many hugs... And our prayers go out to all who need them.
D~