Enjoying the warmth and sun in Mexico

It was a slow decent from the man I knew to his eventual demise, but we went on with life, taking him on several trips to Mexico to enjoy the warmth and sun at Hacienda del Mar. Even though he had Alzheimer's he could still make new brain pathways, as he would get lost in the first few days of our visit, but after, 2-3 days, he would learn his surroundings and find his way back to the unit. He was never a beach person, totally out of place on the beach, so maybe getting lost was also a form of protest.

In 2013, he became a grandfather, with the birth of Angus Lee Burns.

He traveled to Spearfish, S.D., to experience being Grandpa, holding and talking to Angus Lee at two family Christmases. He also attended Angus' first birthday and laughed as Angus smeared frosting on his face and hands. These were good times.

Assisted Living

In March, 2014, Dad was put into assisted living as the stresses and strains between Mom and Dad were becoming greater. Fortunately, Mom and Dad had long-term care insurance that made it possible.

Weekly Visits and Ice Cream

For the next 13 months, I made at least weekly visits to see Dad in assisted living in Longmont. It was generally not too difficult to coax him into eating ice cream at DQ or Baskin-Robbins. In the first nine months, it was generally double scoops on a cone, and if we visited Baskin-Robbins, it was Rocky Road. Too much ice cream took its toll; one evening, I made three trips to Walmart to get him larger pants, as the pants I bought on the first two trips were too small. By November, we graduated to Blizzards at DQ as it was easier for him to handle a cup and spoon, plus he liked the change.

Making a wish come true

During the summer of 2014, the assisted living facility’s Activity Director shared that Dad had a final wish to go flying. She asked if they needed to make the arrangements, and my immediate answer was, “No, I will handle that.” My classmate’s husband, who is a United 747 Captain, took Dad and me up in a Cessna 172, just like Dad had flown in the 1960’s. What a joy and privilege it was to do this for Dad. At first, he had some anxiety, but he held the yoke for 2/3rds of the flight, and Darrel commented on how well he held altitude. This was a very positive experience and I am so grateful the Activity Director shared his wish.

Flying

At first, he had some anxiety, but he held the yoke for 2/3rds of the flight, and Darrel commented on how well he held altitude. This was a very positive experience and I am so grateful the Activity Director shared his wish.

A Creative and Innovative Farmer

Dad accomplished a lot, he had a quality life. I held in awe his abilities to envision, build, construct and create. He/we built a confinement farrow-to-finish pig producing facility, complete with feed mills, producing 3000-4000 pigs a year. We were first in the community to install a center pivot irrigation system on a quarter section, where we irrigated 36 different directions a significant time and labor saving system. Once he got something operational he became bored and moved on to his next endeavor

Loving Grandpa with Angus Lee

Last Laugh Together

Our last trip to DQ was Saturday, April 4, 2015. We would always FaceTime with Lindy and Angus, eat ice cream, and get lots of smiles and laughs at Angus' progress. These were special times. Friends on Facebook saw lots of ice cream eating pictures and gave many messages of encouragement. On the April 4th visit, Dad saw a Chihuahua in a bicycle basket wearing goggles; that was our last laugh together.

Celebrating with Daughter Lindy

Enjoying family time at Lindy's baby shower and looking forward to becoming a Grandpa.