Day Fifty-three; Footnotes Time Well Spent

She keeps apologizing. She has no idea how blessed I feel to be able to help any way and every way I can. She calls, then apologizes for bothering me. Not understanding how happy I am to be able to still hear her voice. I know, how blessed we are that my parents are still with us. I will readily set aside my plans to be able to help them with theirs.

Several days ago my mother asked if it were raining, if I would drive them to dad’s eye exam. I had said yes, already knowing that I would drive them no matter the weather. Today, at nine thirty this morning, I was in mom and dad’s drive waiting on them to come out to the car. Along the way we passed an area where work was being done on the side of the road. Thankfully the opposite side and we were able to pass quickly. There is a large area where they are preparing, according to rumor, to build a large housing development. Still, we arrived at the office well early for his appointment, finding only one open spot to park. Thankfully my Jeep is small and fit easily into the spot there on the edge of parking. Mom and dad went inside, and I made myself comfortable.

While waiting, I scrolled through various sites on my phone, watched traffic pass by and yawned a lot. Leaning over against the door I noticed a red light blinking. What? I’ve never noticed that before. I sent a message to my son and I posted a question on social media. Come to find out, it has something to do with the security and anti-theft devices. My son telling me it had always done that. I didn’t know, I don’t usually sit in my car for extended periods. Plus the turn signal lever blocked my line of sight for where the light was blinking. I’m just glad that it wasn’t some warning light of self destruction.

Mom came out at one point so to be able to take her mask off and catch her breath. She told me that the doctor was giving dad a full exam and it would take a while. When the while finally ended we headed for home. I got them home safe and went home myself to prepare a late breakfast. I was starving. I almost finished eating when mom was calling asking if I would take her to buy her groceries. Dad had already asked her twice if she was going.

As soon as I finished eating I drove down to pick her up and head out. Thankfully I was able to find a parking spot that was near the end of the row close to the building. Once inside I got the cart and off we headed, to find what she needed. Here, is where our shopping styles differ. While I take a direct path, making one large circle through the building and to check out. Mom, zig zagged and back tracked and circled around. Its no wonder shopping wears her out. But, she found everything but dog food so there is that.

We got checked out, and everything loaded into the back of my vehicle. I got her home and everything inside. Back home, I had given up on going hiking and did laundry instead. Not as pleasurable but needed. I also managed to get over 6000 steps in. Mom called me at one point to let me know the medicine I had ordered online for her dog had arrived. Then apologized for bothering me.

How can I get her to understand, she doesn’t need to apologize. Neither her nor dad is bothering me or my son. We may secretly roll our eyes, but also understand that at their age, there are things they can no longer safely do. I would much rather take care of them than risk their getting injured attempting to do something they shouldn’t. I understand it has to be frustrating not being able to do all they once could. I don’t get upset at their requests, I thank God they are still with us to ask. I have seen too many status posts of people missing their parents, wishing they could talk with them, spend time with them again. I didn’t get to go hiking. I did get some things done here and helped my folks take care of their needs. That is more important and special than any hike.