I have just finished reading a book about death, a beautiful book called The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. It is narrated by Death - who, in the book, is quite a decent bloke.  At one point he remarks that a difference between humans and himself is that humans have the good sense to die.

Today would have been my dearest's 84th birthday. But he died ( Read more... )

A new friend on facebook just started a chat with me to invite me to a Scandinavian festival in a city two hours from where I live. I was surprised because she lives in Denmark, so I asked if she was visiting here. No, but she knew people who were going and would love to go herself.

She knows my husband died only five days ago and thinks it would ( Read more... )

My darling husband has improved so much that today he is being moved to Heritage Lodge, the lovely nursing home which he so recently enjoyed staying in. This time he is going into 'high care' and, at least at first, sharing a room with a very nice gentleman who was in the same hospital ward with him until a few days ago. He will be in the window ( Read more... )

All day he has been by the window, looking out at the hills across the way. This morning he was sitting up, admiring them. This afternoon he was resting. When I asked, 'Are you awake?' he opened his eyes, looked out at the sky, and said with pleasure, 'Oh, it's all bright!'

#smallstone

http://shiftingfog.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/hospital-visit-yesterdays-journal-entry.html

I am full of good chicken soup from my friend Kay, to which I added a handful of rice. Mind you, it doesn't take much to make me full just now. I am glad I'm able to keep some food down, still don't have a huge appetite.

Enjoying again my pretty, peaceful back yard, and breathing in the fresh air. Glad I am able to breathe freely at this moment.  ( Read more... )

http://shiftingfog.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/while-were-busy-making-other-plans.html

As [Spouse's] carer, I am someone I never dreamed I could be. This is to do with his specific combination of physical and mental impairment, and the point they have reached by now.
( Read more... )

http://shiftingfog.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/things-are-getting-better-and-better.html

I haven't been here much lately, owing to health dramas with the Beloved. We thought he must go permanently into a nursing home, and he did for two weeks. That was disastrous for him mentally, and emotional torture for us both. Fortunately I was able to bring him back home to live, and restore in-home help and respite. We'll be getting some physio ( Read more... )