Today was a fun day! We spent a lot of it in Friday Harbor. The medication was working pretty well and kept Oma in good spirits. Later in the day though she became quite unstable and tired and could not walk on her own much anymore.

We started our trip to town by getting gas and visiting our friend Penny in her sundries consignment store. Penny has so much love for Oma and handles her straight up. From there it was to the bank and the post office and then the healthfoodstore to look for Swedish Bitters. On the way there we found some dog shit and it jumped out and attached itself to Oma's shoes. so we plunked down on a bench and off came the shoes while we found the key to the nearest washroom. After all that the Swedish Bitters will be in on tomorrow's truck.   

So it was off to the Thai Restaurant for lunch. Our regular combo wasn't enough today as mother polished off half of it and was still hungry. So we ordered another and took half of that home. While mother did that I left her sit by herself for a few minutes to scout the bookstore for a present for Arne across the street. It will be his 90th tomorrow. Found just the thing and we continued on to the Belindaba for a coffee and a cranberry loaf.   

Next we stopped by the drugstore to pick up some Arnica cream and then the hardware store to look for daisies. On the way to county park there is the largest most beautiful bush of strong sturdy huge white and yellow daisies. They are not the wild ones that grow everywhere around here like weeds but cultivated thick ones. Mother commented on them a few times and we thanked the owner of the property for sharing them with passers by that way. This inspired me to take the ones of this variety that we have here on our property and transplant them to a good spot by the road and start to care for them more. I hoped to find another pot of them at the hardware store so I could augment my rather scrawny bush down there. No luck.   

Finally we went to the grocery store and put mother in a wheelchair so she could select all her favorite foods. food is such a big part of her existence as Birgit rightly pointed out in her last e-mail. Twice now she has awoken from a vivid dream about cold cuts and "real" cheese on "good" bread, "none of that healthy stuff". In reality she is still a little restrained but not so as to forego the butter and Brie on her butter croissants. So we had fun picking out all the things that bring her joy and packing them into the cart. We had to take it all home right away so the ice cream wouldn't melt and then after resting for an hour we were off to county park again.   

I had my hour nap and I think mother did too. Today I kept her dose a little lower by replacing one of her vicadin with a Tylenol. This caused her to be more alert. At the same time she was much less stable today and commented on her severe headaches periodically. Tonight she took some special time to sit and communicate with her spiritual guides; Jesus and St. Germain. She asked them to help make her transition quick if this is her time to go. She does not like hanging about like this.   

However I thought to myself as we were again off to county park this afternoon. She could just be sitting on her couch or staying in bed and bemoaning her situation. Instead she is keen to get up and dressed and wants to head out the door and do things. It is hard work to walk around in Roche Harbor or today in town. But she did it. Going to County Park sure beats her sitting behind drawn curtains watching television. My hat is off to her for that. She is (in her own unique way) going with gusto. Her tan is wonderful from all that time out in the sun. She appears healthier to look at than most people she greets in town. Its not until I feel her bones crackle in her hands when I help her out of her chair that its clear how much her body is withering away.   

So, like I said, today was a good day. We sang (mostly I did), we greeted Herman the Lama on Westside Road that looks longingly at the beautiful young alpacas across the highway, we thanked god for the beautiful daisies, we picked and planted calendula seeds, we gathered poppy seeds, we picked our first blackberries of the season, we greeted friends, made potato salad together for Arne's birthday tomorrow, went to colors with renewed determination that we need to go back and listen to the noon bells again. Our time is rich with joy and laughter. We are greatful for each and every moment. and you know what the best of it is? "We Know it!"   

On a beam of light,  
Thomas   

ps. the images are not just of Oma but also of what we observe as we make our way through each day. the rose is from our own garden and ordained the dining room table for a couple of days.