In Vancouver visiting Mom.

Thursday May 3, 2012

We left Kelowna on Monday morning and ran into 2C and snow over the connector from Kelowna to Merritt. Heading south on the Coquihalla there was a detour at Othello just north of Hope which took us off the Coquihalla and on a windy slow back road into Hope. Huge rain between Hope and Coquitlam on #7 the scenic route on the north side of the Fraser River on our way to visit Mom. So….not the best trip down. The trip back on Wednesday morning was better with no rain or snow. Journey done.

So the visit to see Eric’s Mom is done and we were relieved to find her well, happy, safe and busy.  Did she know us?  Maybe, maybe not,  but we are okay with that.  She is unable to have a conversation as she has lost the words that make a sentence.  Questions frustrate her as she can’t reply unless it is a short answer and not too complicated.  It is what it is and we are okay with that.  She is going to have her 90th birthday on May 31st.  The family especially Eric’s sister Kathryn has done a stellar job of looking after her and getting her placed in this facility.  A relief for them and us too.

Eric and his mother Doris.

We spent two nights at Joy and Wilbur's’ house (my youngest sister and her husband)  just up the hill from Mom’s care facility which is right next to Coquitlam centre.  We had a good visit and as I haven’t seen Joy in two years it was nice to catch up and have a good blab.  We were introduced to the new additions to her family….Kola the golden retriever and Buddy the Shiatsu x Australian silky terrier.

It didn’t take Buddy long to get himself onto Eric’s lap.

Kola and Buddy.  Isn’t she pretty!

She also has a cat (Sammy) who is not amused by the recent addition of Buddy to the family.

Sammy spends his time up on his perch complaining about Buddy!

Joy and I with the dogs.

Kola has been with them two years and as they have no children this menagerie is it!  Good animals and lots of fun.  Thanks Joy and Wilbur for the hospitality. 

We got back to Kelowna yesterday and will spend today and Friday getting ready to head home on Saturday.