Last Sunday I began a ritual that I continued today, and will keep doing every Sunday now that I know it ‘works’. I will bring a bottle of really lovely wine in and Anthony and I will partake in sipping thimble-sized servings in massive glasses.
As I have to drive 15 kms home and Anthony can no longer drink a whole bottle of brandy in one sitting anymore (I’m kidding) neither of us can drink very much of course!
Nevertheless the reality of opening the wine and pouring it into glasses brought from home, toasting each other, exchanging memories of parties from long ago … all of this makes Sunday afternoons fantastic.
At one point, this afternoon ….
Me: Why are you looking at me like that?
Anthony: You look particularly beautiful today.
Me: What did you say?
Anthony: Your hair is brushed.
Me: ARGHHHH! What do you think of the wine?
Anthony: Not bad.
Me: Why can’t you ever say ‘it’s wonderful!’ instead of ‘not bad’!
Anthony: It’s wonderful.
Me: Okay, let’s clink glasses for a toast – to you and me, Ants. I love you and you love me and that’s the main thing.
Anthony: Can you just get the animals off the table first?
Me: It’s not a table; it’s your bed and you’re hallucinating!
Anthony: You always say that!
Me: It’s part of your Parkinson’s disease – please don’t worry about it. When you see all of those dogs and cats and calves in the room, try to remember that they are not really there and that you are hallucinating.
Anthony: So how about this baby?
Me: What baby?
Anthony: This one [pointing to his lap].
Me: Okay, Ants, is it Ming?
Anthony: No. Ming isn’t a baby any more.
Me: So who is the baby?
Anthony: I don’t know.
I am astounded that, ever since our niece gave birth to her first baby several weeks ago, Anthony keeps ‘seeing’ babies on his lap. It is so so so weird! But it’s also rather magical and wonderful that somehow Anthony’s PD brain has registered this new addition to the family.
Sunday afternoon at the nursing home; a delightful experience!
jmgoyder 