October 12, 2017 (7:21 p.m.)
I don’t often post a second post so soon after another, but I have just witnessed a first. About 45 minutes ago, I called Kate in from the yard so that we could get to our haircut appointment at 3:00. She came right in, something that she didn’t use to do but that has been becoming more typical nowadays. When we got in I told her we had to leave in 30 minutes. I know she can’t remember, but somehow it seems to help me to give her a reminder that we are going someplace soon.
As I expected, she took a shower. At 2:40, I went to her room to check on her. She had gotten out of the shower but was not yet dressed. As she started to dress, she motioned to me to find a bra for her. I looked in her drawers and several other places. I finally found one and brought it to her.
Getting into bras can be challenging for her. I hesitantly offered my help and said something about women’s clothes being so difficult to get into. Very naturally she accepted my help and together we got it on. Then I told her I would get a top for her to wear. I gave it to her. She gladly accepted it.
As we were leaving the house for the car, I thought about how cheerful she had been in a situation that in the past has been one of the most difficult for both of us. She knows I like to be on time. I know that she can’t keep time straight and doesn’t seem to be able to hurry. This time she was as cheerful as she could be. She didn’t hurry but she dressed more quickly than usual. What’s more she accepted my help.
In the car on the way to the hair dresser’s, she mentioned that she got ready without causing us to be late. More significantly to me is that she specifically noted that she didn’t give me a hard time and let me help her. I was stunned with here observation. Then I told her I was glad to hear her say that because I had just been thinking the very same thing.
This particular experience is consistent with the way she has been since Monday afternoon. I know it’s too much to think that this will last; so I am just going to rejoice in this moment. I am also going to remember that even when she is less cooperative, she is not really difficult to deal with. As I have said so often, we are very fortunate. I hope those of you who read this and are having much more challenging experiences will understand that I recognize our good fortune and wish it could be the same for each of you.
