One day in May 2023, Dad said “maybe we should get a big house so we could all live in it. But I don’t want to be in charge because then I’d have to pay all the bills.” Go Dad.
My parents are the King and Queen of a road trip. They have travelled by car to every state in the USA and many provinces in Canada. They have a rod that goes across the backseat where they select their clothes each day like a closet, a picnic basket of food, and a cooler with cold drinks. Most times there are also golf clubs in the car for an impromptu game along the way. They are ready to travel at the drop of a hat. They visit every family member and leave before you can ask them to stay longer, often travelling 15 hours for one night. They are always welcome to stay longer, but they have places to go.
Dad is unable to drive and unable to travel now as his dementia is progressing. But he’s still thinking of seeing the whole family. We were talking about his three kids in Florida, Washington DC, and Toronto Canada. And his 7 grandchildren in Ohio, Connecticut, London England, Toronto Canada, Arizona, and Florida. He said “that’s a lot of travelling so maybe we should get a big house that we could all live in.”
When he said he didn’t want to be in charge, I suggested my daughter Emma could be in charge because she is very organized. He smiled and said “yes, but she might have a lot of rules for us” with a big, hearty laugh.
There are days Dad is no longer able to follow a conversation, and days he has a conversation with no basis in reality. This day, this conversation, he was happy and involved and thinking of his family. Just like every day of his life.
(Photo from a road trip to Toronto May 2022)
Kelley Irwin 
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