The Return of the Waterfowl

Sandhill Cranes

one of the coolest things about where we live is that, in winter when local streams and ponds dry up, our neighborhood lake becomes the watering hole for scores of birds. we get ducks, geese, egrets, ibis, and sandhill cranes. it's like living in an animal park.

the sandhill cranes are amazing. first, they're huge. second, they do this dance where they hop and flutter. third, they have a really loud call which sounds like approaching pterodactyls.

so, that's the good news. in other news, (which i have not yet decided to be neither good nor bad) Grannie has been discharged from home health and recommended for hospice.

"but, " you may ask, "what does this all mean?" to which i would reply, "how the hell should i know?" we're meeting with the intake nurse this week. from what we've been told we will receive all the same services. still, hospice. it just has such dread connotations.

let's face it. none of us will live forever. from the first day she came to live with us i have reminded myself that she could be gone any morning, any afternoon, any moment. when i'm honest with myself i admit that in just two short years she has become a withered shadow of her former self.

that said, i have spent a lifetime creating for myself a rainbow-colored, Disney-esque world of my own. i'm not frequently honest with myself and i'm having a hard time creating a happy ending to this tale. in my heart i believe she's only stayed on Earth this long to make sure i'm okay. maybe the happy ending is her leaving her infirmities behind knowing that i'm going to be okay.

i'll share with you what i've learned. Don't disregard the small pleasures. Enjoy your independence because when its gone, you have little left. Laughter and love are the best parts of every day. And, that childhood you cherish is only a short lifetime away but your teens and twenties (for better or worse) are gone forever.