Today I popped in after some reflexology working. Mum looks so tired, Dad does too but in a different way. More of a staring around but not looking at anything. Mum is just very tired. Dad doesn't have a sleeping pattern, and will often wake her up in the night to ask what should they be doing.

“sleeping” as an answer doesn't always work, he often need convincing that its not getting up time.

They had just finished dinner and were putting their feet up, so I came at the right time to make them a cup of tea. Dad has decided he doesn't like apple juice, “it makes his tummy hurt, tea is much better”

I then had to ring round to try and work out the complicated payment system that the county Council has for the day care. They do seem to like to make life for carers even for stressful and complicated!

The main task after that was to make sure the hedgehogs and birds had enough food, and get some logs in for the all important fire. This meant Dad had to get his coat on, and we know how long that can take.

“put your coat on Dad”

“were are we going, are we going to respite, I don't want to go there”

The Respite care still are closed due to covid. They are waiting for official confirmation that they can open. Mum is very tired, did I say that before?

“We are going to see the hedgehogs and birds Dad, get your coat on”

We get one arm in, then fish about in the air for the other arm hole. He gets his warm gloves out of his pocket and gets them on no problem. However need the gardening gloves to change the bird food.

“Dad take you gloves off, you need the other gloves”

“What gloves?”

“take those gloves of and put them in your pocket, you need the other gloves”

He puts his hands in his pockets and finds a hat, which he puts on. It takes more encouragement to change to the mucky gloves. It would be so much easier to pull them off him and replace with the bird changing gloves!

As we go outside he is still worrying about going to respite.

“are we going in the car?”

“No Dad we are looking to see if the hedgehogs need water, look they have drank all the water and eaten all the food.”

We give them new food and water, add more seed to the bird table, refill the feeders. I then try to get him to move logs from the shed into the house. This use to be one of his favourite things. The fire still is. It has to be burning, even when we had that hot spell last week (remember that it might be the last we get!). I manage a few trips of log filling and the Dad decides it must be cup of tea time.

As I leave, Dad says

"sorry I not good, but I want to do my jigsaw now!"

I love my Daddy.