A DAY OF TRANSITION

 Today was a cloudy, dreary day but that suited the task for today.  Last week we got a call saying that there was a room for Howard available at St. Joseph's Special Care Home in Estevan.  He had been assessed last winter and his name put on a waiting list for St. Joseph's or Tatagwa View in Weyburn.  Tatagwa was our first choice so we weren't sure what we should do when St. Joseph's was offered.  After discussing the options with all the "kids" it was decided that the timing was right and that we should accept the Estevan offer.  When we told Howard about the offer of a room his immediate comment was "I can't go on like this."  That was our feeling too, so today we made the move.

Clare was at the farm so he helped gather up things and loaded them in his pickup.  We took his chair and footstool from downstairs, a small chest of drawers, a radio, some books, a quilt for his bed, keepsakes and pictures to decorate his room and make it somewhat homey.  I am happy with his room as it looks out on the main entrance to the hospital.  He can sit in his chair and "people watch". We will get a small TV for him to have on his desk but for now he'll have to go to the cosy lounge area down the hallway and watch ballgames there.

The sun came out this afternoon shining its light on what was a dreary day.  And the Son shines for us too giving us strength and warmth for the changes that we face.

 I talked to Howard this evening.  He had coffee in the hospital cafeteria with a longtime friend from Torquay, Ray Daae.  Aunt Viola Halvorson also joined them as she is also a resident of St. Joseph's.  Tomorrow there is a morning church service so aunt and nephew can attend that together.

I am going it to visit Howard tomorrow afternoon, then I will take the afternoon bus to Regina and on to Swift Current.  Sandra will pick me up at 11:10 and we will spend the night at Marion's dad's home.  In the morning we will head to Lacombe, AB and spend three nights, visiting her two daughters and their families.  Mandy and Mareena live right across the street from each other!

On Sunday afternoon we will drive to Innisfail to attend a gathering in memory of our Aunt Helma Parkins who passed away on February 25.   She was the last member of the Hans Haaland family and would have been 97 on May 9 of this year.  As Howard put it "She was a sweet lady".

I plan to go to Frontier with Sandra on Monday and take in the 17th of May celebrations in Frontier on Tuesday.  On Wednesday I can take the bus from Eastend or Shaunavon to Estevan for $10, taking advantage of STC's special for seniors in May.

Well, I have a few things that I want to get done before I leave so better sign off for now.  Howard doesn't have a phone yet but I will post the number when that happens.  He will enjoy visitors so pop in there when you are in Estevan.  He might even have some peanut butter cookies left.  He asked me if I had any cookies besides ginger ones so I made his favourite.  When I asked him about his first supper there he mentioned "a nice dessert", then said "I'm not rubbing it in now."  He always likes to end a meal with dessert, but doesn't always get that at home!  I'll have to make sure I have dessert when he comes home for a visit.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.