Father's Day 2012...

          Today is Father's Day, 2012. We had Dad and Marilyn over, along with Larry's mom. I've learned something in the past few weeks with Dad and that is that whenever he is out of his environment at Canyon Creek, even on the assisted living side, he gets easily disoriented and becomes very anxious. For example, yesterday there was a Father's Day luncheon at Canyon Creek that was in the assisted living dining room. It was so nice with a western theme. Everything was decorated with cowboy hates, boots and a chuckwagon menu. Dad even got all dressed up. Our table was decorated, complete with Dad's root beer and a bag of peanuts. Lunch was great with a choice of hamburgers, BBQ chicken sandwiches, baked beans, corn casserole, pasta salad, fruit, salad and our choice of pie. I filled dad's plate with all his favorite, yet when he saw it, he didn't want to eat any of it. He just pushed the food around and got mad every time I encouraged him to eat. I know he hadn't eaten since breakfast, but he still wouldn't eat.
          We talked about as much as usual, and then he just wanted to go. We got up and got as far as the next nearest chair. Then he just wanted to sit down. After a minute or so, he got anxious again to leave so we got up and found another chair. I then said I thought we should go back to his room. He was really confused as we walked toward Kingswood Court. Walking in, he then saw familiar faces a felt a bit better. The staff there is so kind to him. I stayed a while and then had to go.
          It was a hard day, knowing that he wasn't really sure what was going on. So today we had him over for dinner. Again, there was a real confusion on his face. Dinner was much like the lunch yesterday in that he just stared at his full plate. I don't think he touched a thing. He seemed ready to go home and so we hurried and presented gifts and cards. Each of us read our cards and letters to him. Then we gave Larry his. Dad just wanted to go and kept getting up. He was really bugged that we kept saying we were almost done. I realized then that the Dad I knew was not all there. Inside, I wanted to cry but just hurried and then got him home. Walking into Canyon Creek, I could feel he was more at ease. As soon as he saw the familiar faces, he was better. I kissed him goodbye, wished him a Happy Father's Day and left.

          What a difference a year makes. A year ago, we had just moved him into Canyon Creek. He was a bit confused then, but we could talk about it and he was fine. Today made me realize that every moment we have with him from now on will be a different, random experience. I have friends that have parents with alzheimer's and have been carefully warned by them to prepare for these kind of moments, yet I don't think you can ever fully prepare for how you feel when it actually happens. I just want to make the best of the time I spend with him. Laugh or cry, it is still time with him. That is my Father's Day present I gave myself today.

Introduction.

My name is Annie. I am the granddaughter of Albert Choules. I have a personal blog myself and my mom reads it everyday. She came up with the idea to start a blog about my grandfather...her father. We don't know how much longer he has with us, so we felt that a blog would be a good way to document our moments with him. 

To give a little background of dear Grandpa Albert...He is a hero to not only our family, but to everyone around him. He is currently living at the Canyon Creek Senior Retirement Center. He has been there for a year now. He has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It's been a struggle for all of us. Especially my mom. She has done an amazing job taking care of him and letting him know that we all still love him.

We know that his sweet wife, Rosemary, is watching over him form heaven everyday. His current wife, Marilyn, lives down the block and visits him on a daily basis. Although this is a struggle for her with her poor health, she is still able to show her husband how much she adores him.

I hope this blog gives you all an insight on to how precious life is. Life is short. Life is sweet. Live your life to its fullest. 

There will be posts from everyone in my family. If you have a memory with Albert Choules, email it to me along with nay pictures. It will be blogged. annie.pinnock@gmail.com

We love you Grandpa. You will forever be our hero.