This Morning: 10:45
We arrived at Panera a few minutes ago. Following our normal routine, I set up Kate’s iPad to her puzzle app and headed to the counter to order her muffin and our drinks. We sit at one of two tables that are about 8-10 feet from where the drink dispenser is located. While I order, Kate fills her cup from the drink dispenser. Even though it is easy for her to see our table, I always tell her and point to the table as I go to order. This works well. She is always sitting at the table working a puzzle when I return though not today.
As I was ordering, Kate casually walked over to me. I introduced her to the new person who was taking my order, I told Kate that her name was Jesse. I expected her to say that our daughter’s name is Jesse when she said, “I have a friend named Jesse.” I am not aware of this friend. I feel sure she was just getting mixed up with our daughter’s name.
When I had paid, we both walked back to our table and took our seats. I didn’t say anything to her , but I know that she didn’t know where our table was located. The easy thing was to find me. She knew that I would be headed there soon. There have been a few other occasions when she hasn’t remembered where our table was located. The big difference is those times was that our regular tables were occupied, so we had to sit in another section of the restaurant. When that happens, I stay in eyesight as she fills her cup. When she is finished, I make sure she gets to the table before I go to order. Today we are sitting at one of the two tables at which we have been sitting for several years, and they are right next to the drink dispenser. To top it off, her iPad has a bright red cover on it that I bought to make it easy to spot. Forgetting where we sit at Panera is yet another step in her journey.
This Afternoon: 3:45
After lunch, we came back to the house. I met a landscaper to talk about a few things I would like to have done in the yard. Kate worked on her iPad for a short time and then took a nap. When she got up, she was ready to go to Barnes & Noble, so here we are. Interestingly, we had a similar event here. I selected a table for us. We switch around a little more here since there are fewer options than at Panera. As I did this morning, I set up her iPad and put it on the table for her. Then I picked up her cup, left the top with her, and went to the counter to get her a drink. As I was ordering, she came to me with the top. I told her that was all right, that I would just put it on when I got the drink. She left to return to the table. I wondered if she would find it. I soon found out. When I finished, I turned around and saw her sitting at another table. I stopped by and said, “Let’s go over to this other table. Our things are over there.” She got up, and we walked back to our original table. Neither this morning’s experience nor this one seemed to be troubling for her. That’s another reason for me to feel grateful.
