A Break–Not in the Marriage

I have not written for a few weeks because I traveled to Sedona, Arizona by way of San Francisco across to San Diego, then returned to San Francisco, teaching my high school classes between trips, but mainly helped my mid-80s parents move from their home of 50+ years to their new assisted living complex. The movers did the physical labor; my siblings and I took on the mental and emotional part. Do you know the couple in “The Notebook” where the dad has his litany of ailments and the mom has Alzheimer’s? That would be my parents.  Mom remembers me and the family, but not what she ate five minutes ago or what she did this morning or where she was last week. Dad, on the other hand, is quick as lightning with words but not so much on the dance floor. Together, they were once quite the couple—Mom, stunning in an Elizabeth Taylor sense with dark hair and eyes, and Dad, the brilliant engineer in oversized glasses, stellar at calculations and master at blue prints. They danced at Republican Inaugural Balls—both state and federal, while they left a legacy of adult children and grandchildren most of whom are avowed Democrats.

So, this has been my past few weeks. I plan to continue my trek through the next 20 years (I completed 11), but for the moment, my focus is on the larger, extended family picture that includes my parents.