Sunday, April 30
Davis came by for a visit. He was very interested in the
changes in the back yard and the plantings we've done
around the front of the house. While we were in the
front yard discussing bulbs, he and Don began talking
about the brain tumor. At times, Don seems to think he
is doing well; at others, he seems to be preparing for
the end. He told Davis:
"I was talking to one of the folks from the ashram the
other day and I told him I was afraid. I'm not afraid
of dying. It's just that my life is good right now and
I would hate to leave it. He told me, 'Don't worry.
You can come back in the next life.' I actually didn't
like this idea. The way I figure it, it took me forty
years to get to the point where I like myself. I like
my body, I like my life, I like who I am. I don't
want to have to go through all that again."
Curtis and Mike had invited us over for dinner this evening
and had welcomed Davis along, too. We didn't realize
until just before we left for their place that Davis
would not be able to stay for dinner. I hope Mike and
Curtis were not too put out by having a left-over salmon
steak.
Their new home is a classic Eichler. They have plans to
redo the deck and hot tub (which actually is an
enormous tub - more like a wine barrel). Kirk was also
there, and the six of us had a pleasant time, talking
and chatting. Kirk was being a little pushy with his
prior knowledge of Curtis, giving Mike little tidbits of
advice about his behavior and starting a lot of sentences
with, "I found that with Curtis you have to...." Mike
was very gracious and let none of this bother him - or
very controlled and let none of the bother show.
I'm glad Davis was able to come for a visit. I wish he
would come more often. He has a calming effect on me
and I think Don enjoys him very much as well. Too bad
he's so busy.
|
|
Monday, May 1
|
|
Tuesday, May 2
|
|
Wednesday, May 3
Don comes back from the trip to Marin and The City with new scrapes
on his hands. He tells me he was waiting for the bus to take him
to Marin when it passed him by and stopped at the next stop. He
started running to catch it but suddenly fell on his left side.
"I didn't trip. There was nothing to stumble over. I just fell
over. It was like my left side just stopped working. It was very
frightening."
|
|
Thursday, May 4
I tell Mark and Brad at the office that things aren't going well at home.
I tell them I am no longer comfortable leaving Don home alone. This has
come sooner that I had expected, but I had warned Mark that I thought it
would eventually come. Brad offers condolences. Mark offers to buy a laptop
for me to use at home so I can continue working from home. I ask for a
Vaio and he says, "Consider it ordered."
|
|
Friday, May 5
The brick pathways are done, the raised beds are in place, and the hot tub is
nestled into its nook in the new deck. The backyard has its new look, and I
couldn't be more delighted with the results. Don and I are both ecstatic.
"It's so beautiful," he says. We discuss the plantings and flowers we plan to
install. Don is genuinely happy for the first time in many weeks.
"This will be a real refuge," he says.
|
|
Saturday, May 6
Rob and Leah come for lunch and a visit. I show off the back yard. They both
marvel at the transformation.
After they leave, Stephen comes for a visit. He and Don discuss poetry while
I doze on the couch.
|
|