My dear, dear uncle has finally transitioned to his new journey.
The last few months, we spent several hours a week together.
Not the same as when he was staying in my home, but still it was wonderful to laugh together and — being Portuguese — eat together!
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The other day on our daily walk, we noticed that our neighbor had just cut back her roses. These are the roses we stop to smell together every morning. Pink, red, white, yellow and — our favorite — mauve, which gives the most incredible scent.

Well, this morning there lay a pile of stems, flowers, petals, leaves. My son was sad, looking at this pile as he questioned why they were cut off. It’s not like he hasn’t seen this before, but at each stage of his life he sees it with a new set of eyes.

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Time continues to fly by at a blink of an eye.

Yes, many of you understand what is happening Universally. How everything is speeding up.
How everything is so intense. (more…)

I watched my little Zen master playing with my uncle the other day.

Almost 90 years’ difference.

I was shocked when I saw them both sticking their tongues out at each other in that naughty way that I am sure we all remember.
I say that I was shocked because I have always taught my child that this sort of behaviour was not allowed, but what can I say now? (more…)

It’s so strange to me that I celebrate Mother’s Day now as a mother myself.

Whenever my son calls me “Mummy”, it is hard for me not to think of my own mother. It’s almost a strange moment. . .a hesitation to respond, even though it’s been several years since he’s been able to speak. (more…)

For almost three months, my uncle was bed-ridden.

On Easter Sunday, which most Catholics like himself celebrate with much Joy and with family, I decided to take a chance and get him out of the house.

I told him that we had to celebrate it to the fullest – and so we did. (more…)

The journey with my Uncle continues.

He is actually quite strong now – strong enough that the words “safety” and “caution” have become part of my thoughts on a daily basis.

He has gained weight which, up until now, was mass. But this week when we weighed him, it was definitely a fluid build-up. His ankles and calves showed major signs of swelling. This happened within a 24-hour period. Still, the body dealt quite well with this imbalance. (more…)

This past month has been dedicated to not only sorting out my business but also the business of my uncle, who is still in my care.

As I move items from his home to mine so that he can comb through them, I realized that he has nine decades’ worth of life compiled into boxes. Within those boxes are other boxes of trinkets, photos, memorabilia. (more…)

Even though I have only ever known my uncle from a distance, he is the only one I can call my favorite – and he is now in need of assistance.

A few weeks ago, I was commuting back and forth for up to five hours a day before work to support him in the critical time of his health. The few extra hours that I would normally spend with my growing child was suddenly diverted to support Uncle Bob instead.

Was this a difficult choice to make? (more…)

I was really moved to write this as it has been on my mind lately since I have been working with my 91-year-old uncle.

Funny how I have had many interesting comments since taking him under my care.

“Is he your father’s brother?”
“Is he your mother’s brother?”

No he is neither, he is actually my father’s cousin by adoption. (more…)