I know how startled everyone was when their parents suddenly got e-mail. Heck, I'm still startled to see my mother-in-law hovering on my buddy list, in between students whose usernames might as well be pierced and tattooed. But to get e-mail from Ray's little brother (yes, the one who is willing to take him in, but lives in a tiny apartment and has lung cancer) who I most remember from a long ride in a VW bug in about 1978, coming down from Humboldt State Park back to Marin, 5 adults and 3 kids all in the bug because the minibus had broken down... well, at least the style doesn't jar those memories in the slightest.
Hello Emma:
I have such fond memories of you as a child, it blows my mind to check out your present incarnations, websites, et al., Emma. And also, congratulations on the creation of Tabitha. Yes, Ray's a Grandpa, isn't he? Tee hee, tee hee. My gal has a 3 year old granddaughter who refers to me as "Grampa" and it is so very endearing. And we all know how Ray absolutely adores little girls, as well we all should!!
So Emmy, without getting into the dynamics of your present relationship with your Dad, your response to all this has been so suddenly heartwarming and refreshing. As regards rental costs, once anyone gets shy of either coast, the monthly output decreases. Ray receives an automatic deposit to his bank account of about $900 or so monthly. I would like to assure you, Emma, that neither Jon nor myself had anything concrete planned as yet. No airline reservations have been made and no movers lined up. Lots of ducks hovering just above the water, ready to get into a row. Yet fowl have been known to suddenly change direction without even skimming the surface of the water and fly off in formation for a different place altogether.
Here where I reside, is the home of a State University, we have a wonderful new library and so it seemed that Ray might be somewhat stimulated, albeit it ain't no Manhattan. We were all at a loss for where Ray might like to reside and just exactly what kind of care he really needs. And yes, as I type, we are still awaiting the state ID for purposes of travel. Regardless, I am still available to travel to NYC to assist in any way I can.
This really is all about Ray and where he could resume a more struggle-free lifestyle and rejoin his natural joy of nature, birds, life and love. I leave you with the words of John Lennon who once wrote, "...there's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be, it's easy. All you need is Love", Ken
I've been pricing apartments, thinking about what's really within walking distance, trying to find out about services for seniors. And panicking.
I'm thinking of you, and I understand what you're going through.
Posted by: selzach | Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 03:03 PM