As I suggested in my previous post, Kate was ready early yesterday. We were able to get to the airport with time to spare. I do notice, however, that traveling with her is a much bigger responsibility than it was just six months ago. She moves much slower and gets very confused. Fortunately, she depends on me for guidance, but I find that I am not at ease. I have to watch her at all times. I feel like I am on “high alert.” Going through security did not cause any major problems, but she doesn’t understand what to do. That adds a little extra stress as I seek to comply with all the security requirements for each of us.
Kate worked puzzles on her iPad the entire flight. Since I was seated beside her, I had the opportunity to watch her more than I normally do. I have said before that she seems to pay no attention to either the shapes or the color of the pieces as she seeks to put them in their proper places. It seemed like she was simply randomly getting them into the right spots. Now, I don’t believe that is true. She does seem to pay attention to the shapes of the pieces. I still believe, however, that she doesn’t notice how the colors on a piece might match a particular configuration of colors on the puzzle. The app she uses shows her how long it takes her from start to finish. It looks like she takes from five to ten minutes to do each sixteen-piece puzzle. It also looks like her ability to work a puzzle comes and goes as she is working. One moment she seems to be fine. The next she is stumped.
We had dinner with Kevin and his family and had a good time. It was difficult for Kate to follow the conversation at our end of the table. She responded by being quiet.
When we got back to our hotel, she was in a very appreciative mood. Several times she thanked me for “all that you do.” At least two times, she said, “Thank you for all you do for us, especially what you do for the women.” I decided not to ask who she meant by “us” and “the women.”
After my shower, I went into the living room area where Kate was working on her iPad. She said, “I want to thank you for being my friend.” I said, “I am glad to be your friend. I love you, and I think you love me.” She began to get teary and said, “I think I do.” I usually say something about being her husband but decided to let it go this time. She also said, “Not everyone likes me.” I said, “I can’t imagine anyone’s not liking you.” She said, “We’ll see.”
When I got up this morning, I heard her chuckle. I saw that her eyes were open. I walked over and kissed her on her forehead. She smiled but didn’t say anything. I had a sense that she recognized me either as her husband or her friend. She didn’t appear to be confused. She was still awake when I was ready for breakfast. I told her we are at the Residence Inn in Lubbock and that I was going to get some breakfast and bring it back to the room.
We have stayed here quite a few years. In recent years, I’ve requested a room on the first floor. That is so that I won’t be far away when I leave her for breakfast. More recently, I have brought my breakfast back to the room. That way I am gone only a few minutes. If for any reason she would leave the room, I would see her. This is just one tiny thing to which I must be attentive when we travel. I also have to be prepared to wash clothes. In fact, I did that yesterday morning before leaving Nashville.
She was asleep when I returned to the room and is still sleeping. There is no reason to rush this morning. We will try to get to Kevin’s house between 11:00 and 12:00. I’m looking forward to a Happy Thanksgiving and wishing the same for you and your family.
