My great-grandfather LaPorte lived with us for a time when I was small. I don't know how long he stayed with us, but I have lovely memories of him, and I associate his presence in our home with happy things.
Twice as an adult I moved in with my parents. Multiple times my adult children moved in with me. I am not a stranger to the concept of family sharing a home, and it is one that makes sense to me in many ways.
When my husband's mother died four years ago, we began to discuss the possibility of asking his father if he would like to live with us. I think we were mostly concerned that he would be lonely on his own. We talked it through many times, but never brought it up with Larry because we didn't think he'd want to leave the last home he had shared with Jan. He is in good health, and very active in his church and other community groups. When we told him that we were going to leave the Mountain and hoped to buy a home, he surprised us when he suggested that we look for something with an in-law apartment. Because Rhodes and I had discussed it so often, we were ready to make the adjustment to having Larry live with us, but we weren't certain that he had thought it through. We waited a few days, then talked with him to make sure we all had the same expectations, that we would all be open about communicating needs and issues, and that he really wanted to make such a big change.
The biggest concern that this dear man had was that his laundry schedule not be interrupted. Monday, he said, was laundry day. Rhodes and I just laughed. Of course he could have his laundry day! (Which has since been switched to Wednesdays, because why not?)
I miss my parents every day, and I am so aware of what a blessing it is for us to be able to have this time with Larry; for Rhodes to have so much extra time with his Dad. We all have our own space if we need or want it, but we often watch television together, and share evening meals almost every night. On days when our schedules mesh, we sometimes have breakfast or lunch. Rhodes and I enjoy it when Larry wanders into our side of the house just to talk, and I love listening to the two of them laughing and talking together.
There is an extra sweetness to these days, an awareness of Autumn approaching in the normal cycle of the Turning of the Wheel of the Year, but also in the spinning of the wheels of our lives. I can close my eyes and see the pattern as the days weave the deepening colors of Autumn into a cloak that I can pull around me for shelter and warmth when needs must.
Living with an attitude of gratitude, and counting this adorable Elder as a special blessing in my life.
Peace out, peeps, and Blessed Be.
~sheri
Dats muh daddy
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