....DAD's B-DAY....(Together)...

Well, needless to say my trip was uneventful...but good overall... Weather was somewhat warm in beginning & very cooling the more I got closer to El Paso...(especially after Ft. Stockton)...Must have had something to do with "GUSTAV"..possibly...?

Anywho, got to EP between 2100h & 2130h...end up in doing a 'lil shopping for Dad & myself; and tried to get a snack after @ "Chico's Tacos" on Zaragosa (N side of I-10)... But to my dismay(basically I said "shit" out loud several times there outside the restaurant...attracting some attention...not much.) as I found out they ONLY take cash...(shit, shit, shit...) So, I decided "hell with this ..." and ended up at "Taco Bell" just down the street (ate burrito Supreme)...

Well, before I knew it it was already becoming late & decided to stay at "The PETRO" just down the road & sleep it off for few hours... When I came to...it was about 0430h; so, decided to go into restaurant & have a hot tea watched some TV to catch up on "GUSTAV" to see what I missed; by then it was getting on 0700h... I decided it would be good to freshen up a bit before going anywhere else...

After that I decided it would be good to visit Dad & wish him"Happy B-Day" and give his present (oatmeal & grits, his favorites...was hoping to give it in time for his breakfast...no such luck, though...) at same time, and I did just that; stayed a few minutes and told him I'd be back later in the day to take him out to eat...(or something...)

After I decided to visit Babette & Ralphs' ; since I knew they were back from San Antonio...I found only Ralph (just a 'lil disappointed, Babs wasn't there to find out she was already at work) ... Anywho, Ralph was great hostess & caught me up on family news, not going into anything real deep, but did catch me up on many topics concerning Mom & Dad, of course..and some processes on going right now & some minor details... (I told Ralph that I thought they (-meaning: Ralph, Babette & Pat & Debbie were doing excellent job as a whole; as I could tell...) I also expressed that as soon as this "Guardianship"process(which might take 6-12 months) is completed I feel all the family will be better off (especially Mom & Dad) ... So much burden will be released etc... (for example: Mom, more recently was asking Babette how to write a check....to give you some idea...)

Anywho, all that aside I ended up taking a "short" nap there at their place & got up finally at approx. 1430h...(that was overdue & needed...really helped me, THANX Ralph...really great hostess...!)

So, after that went to Mom's place & meet new "Caretaker",(Petra) a real nice person to talk to...(mentioned she had lived in Austin many years back...with family etc.) She left 'lil after 1500h. So, after talking more with Mom I decided (about 1545h) it was time to get cleaned & ready to go get Dad at his place of domicile etc...

Finally after up here I arrived at 1655h. and took Dad to restaurant without adieu...and to my pleasant surprise there were maybe 20 people in restaurant there feeding their faces (since I hate crowds anyway)...Well, Dad and I sat down near everything (the kitchen, the bar; the bathroom...etc) and we were happy, I think...at least it seemed that way to me... Right away we (I) ordered us some beer (regardless what everyone might think; I'm really NOT an alcoholic...okay?)...Dad milkedhis beer while I had only 6 throughout the meal...OKAY?

By the way we got there @ approx 1650h. and after ordering "ordurv's" (sp)(sausage bites w ranch & BB-Que sauce) ; maybe 1800h started to order our main dish...(I think Dad must have made "several holes" in the menu as hard as he looked at it trying to remember what he ate last time with Pat ...I found out later...)...to know avail I took charge and decided to order for Dad... Dad got brisket "special" with baked potato & it came with "Texas Caviar" (as it was called) simply it was fruit coleslaw & sweet beans...way too much for Dad, of course...But, he did enjoy the meal; personally, I think he enjoyed being "out" more than anything...

I feel he was a 'lil saddened that more family wasn't there...even though I did try to keep his humor up...best I could... I mentioned Pat might be there & got message during meal he was at his doctor's office and would be home early evening etc... (of course Babette was still at work etc...)... So in that respect, I'm glad I could at least take Dad out at all... I explained all this to Dad & seemed to understand what I said; but...there was still some sadness in his eyes...I wish I could have done something to take away that & I seemed to have been powerless in that area...?

We ended the meal with a small desert given by restaurant...with a candle...(which Dad let burn after he took his first bite...) I had to remind him I wasn't ready to take him to the hospital for a burnt lip (or soimethin') ; so, told him before he took another bite to make wish & "blowout the candle....please!" and we both laughed together...During that process I found time to take few fotos...(and my batteries died...what can I say? As you can see above...Thanx to God, right?)

After all that we finally arrived at Mom's house to find that Mom was already asleep in bed... (What else could go wrong, folks...?) So, I told Dad I would take him to his "quarters" so he could retire & not be locked out for past his curfew...ha, ha...(he chuckles..) Dad said that's fine except I need to go number #2 in the " 'lil Boys" bathroom...(this was approx. 1930h.) Well, I helped Dad set his butt on the shitter and told him to give me a buzz since I'd be watching the "McCain Convention" in meanwhile...(our next President to be; I'm sure everyone knows already!)Dad seemed okay with that...(of course, I checked with him every so often...)

Finally at around 2040h. Mom woke-up to find what the noise was about etc... Then was flabbergasted that Dad had been sitting there on the toilet more than half hour & not having much "success" at his efforts & patience etc... Finally Mom just said: how are you going to get back in the house on; won't it be locked...?" Dad response: "...Oh, it's okay, WE'll break the door down if WE have too...!" Mom, laughed with Dad...!Well, a few minutes later Mom convinced Dad to finish his "business" so I could take him "home"... and we did that finally...

While taking Dad "home" I ask when was the last time he had an enema...and his reply was he couldn't remember... I told him I think it would be good to get it at least once a weak ...and besides if I had someone stick something up my butt I'd surely remember... (he chuckled)...and said yeah maybe so...

Finally we arrived at destination...brought Dad inside (with no problems)... Vero was there (night nurse) and I explain Dad's dilemma to relay to Martha to consider maybe doing something about Dad's "empacking" situation.... After having taking him to his room...I gave Dad update on what I told Vero and he said "okay"... Gave Dad a hug & kiss and wished him a Happy Birthday, once more... and wished him a good night. (then left for Mom's house.)

-END OF STORY-
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My feelings overall about this experience with Dad was great...(with or without the stool problem) ...It just saddens me that it's so hard sometimes to think one day we'll have to let go both of them...I hope in our hearts we think positive about all this after they are gone we can really appreciate that much more how much they've done for always...Also, if we think to remember mostly that their pain & suffering will all disappear when it said and done....I've known them the longest and I can never be grateful enough for what they've done & are doing for me (us)now......................................

-Love To All-

(Bernard)