« Se mi salvo da questa tempesta
Più non avvi naufragio per me »*
*(Extra points for opera fanatics who identify this phrase!)
I’ve already joked to friends that I’m getting REALLY good at hand-washing the dishes. If that were the only lowly task I’m called upon to perform these days…
But between the dramatic storm clouds, there are precious, sun-filled moments.
After we supervised the alternation of visiting aides, several urgent doctor calls, emergency clean-ups, paperwork, trips to the pharmacy, and taking delivery of a hospital bed; today after making sure she was changed again, fed, and made comfortable with multiple pillows, I saw tears welling up in her eyes.
She smiled sweetly, looked at Jacques then at me, and, defying her weakness, softly said as best she could “Thank you… for everything.”
I feel the end is near. At this moment it seems timely to recall the quote by Robert Frost:
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.”