Dear Kids,
I have sad news to share. Aunt A- called me the other day and said that hospice called her about Zaidie. He wasn’t doing well at all. (Actually, they called because they tried to get in touch with Bubby and she didn’t answer, so hospice was worried about her!). I called Bubby and asked if she wanted me to come down to help her or just be there to support her. First she said no, but then she changed her mind, so I got on a flight the next morning and headed to Florida. I arrived Thursday late morning, and Bubby picked me up from the airport. We headed straight over to the facility where Zaidie was living, and we pretty much hung out there for the next several hours. Then we went to get some lunch (I introduced Bubby to CAVA.) After lunch, we headed back to the facility and hung out there for a few more hours. Finally, the person Bubby hired to stay with Zaidie through the night arrived, and we went to get dinner and then home to bed.
Even though Zaidie was just laying in bed sleeping, it was nice to be there to see him. I know that he had no clue I was there; but, who knows, maybe somewhere in that Alzheimer’s-plagued mind of his, he heard my voice and a fleeting memory popped up. That’s what I hope anyway.
I woke up this morning around 7, and I heard Bubby talking on the phone. It turned out she was talking to Aunt A- about Zaidie. Bubby got a call around 3 this morning letting her know Zaidie had died. Bubby figured there was nothing to be done, so she waited until a more reasonable hour to let us know.
It’s very sad, but it is the cycle of life I suppose, and it was going to happen eventually. At least he made it for his 90th birthday, Bubby’s and his 58th wedding anniversary, and Bubby’s 80th birthday. That’s pretty impressive.
This is why I’m keeping this blog…so that , you’ll have these stories to help jog your memories (see George Eliot‘s quote above).
Hopefully happier news soon.
Love,
Aba
