Hard Choices

The scan showed an inoperable brain tumor. She had been there for him all these years, and now when he needed her most, he would be left alone and on his own.

We knew he had early Alzheimer’s when the doctor took his keys and handed them to mother, saying, “He can no longer drive his car.” He was not happy with that decision, as you can imagine!

My wife flew to Edmonton two weeks ago, to be with them as they searched for care facilities for both parents. Now, I am flying through the cold December air to join them. There is so much to think about and so many difficult decisions to make. It all seems very overwhelming.

Droning in my ears, the engines of the Air Canada plane have a calming hypnotic effect, and ‘in the tender gray, I swim undisturbed.’

***

Today at d’Verse, Lisa gave us our Prosery prompt. We are to write a prose piece of flash fiction or personal narrative incorporating one line from the poem, In Sullivan County by Celia Dropkin. It cannot be more than 144 words. I chose to write about an experience we had back in December 2012 when Ruth found out that both of her parents needed institutional care. The line is in dark print.

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Photos: Dwight L. Roth

                               Christmas 2012

 

 

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