Visiting My Parents With Uncle Jerry

Last week I picked up Uncle Jerry to go see my dad (his brother) for a visit. Jerry lived with my parents for many years until they could no longer care for him. He has been mentally challenged since he was at least 2 years old. His mother died when he was 14 years old and he moved from one relatives home to another's home several times and earlier in his life, he even spent time in an institution (and not a very good one, either) until he moved in with my mom and dad. It was a very hard decision for my dad to have to find another place for Jerry when it became evident that they no longer could care for him. But, Jerry is in an excellent place with a staff that really seems to like Jerry because he is polite, quiet, very neat and a little bit of a flirt. They have nurses, recreational therapists, and special aides that keep him quite busy. They take them out to a lot of community events. He is also signed up for summer day camp.

Whenever Jerry and my dad see each other, Jerry gets quite emotional -- it starts out kind of as a laugh and then he starts to cry. One of the activities mom, dad and Jerry used to do every evening, when they all lived together, was play a game of Dominoes and have a bowl of ice cream. So whenever they are together, they always play a game. Jerry, despite his mental challenges, seems to do very well with math and numbers. So he is very serious about the game.

Here we all are playing a game of Dominoes at Rose's house. My sister, Sharon, her daughter, Amber and granddaughter, Madison were up from Nevada for a visit and that made it more fun.

My mother won the game with Jerry close behind in second place. Jerry looks a little perturbed that he didn't win and he has won a lot of the games in the past! No kidding!! (Then again, he just might have been a little annoyed that I kept yelling, "Jerry, smile"!)

A quick lunch with the gang, thanks to Rose! See cute little Madison! She kept us all entertained! P.S. Her mommy is expecting another in October. As you can see, dad and Jerry take their meals very seriously! Because dad has Parkinson's and Jerry has had a couple of strokes it takes them both quite awhile to finish their meals.

It is at least a 200 mile trip for me to either pick up Jerry in Gig Harbor and take him to Olympia and back or to pick up my parents and take them to Gig Harbor and back. However, I have enjoyed the experiences. When in the car, Jerry likes to reminisce about the "good old days" in northern Idaho. My parents like the leisurely drive to Gig Harbor and are constantly telling me over and over and over what wonderful kids they have and how they all take care of them so well (Mostly, Rose)!! But they give all 13 of their children credit!! My brother Ed, also takes time to visit them regularly and they love it. Several who live far away do call -- which my mom doesn't always remember (but at the moment it thrills them). My dad counts on me to take care of Jerry now, and when he passes away. Jerry is 16 1/2 years younger than my dad so he could live easily at least another 20 years.

So that is what I did last Tuesday -- or was it last Wednesday? Heck, I'm getting old and can't remember!