This morning, Lily was up early to go get doughnuts for Clarissa’s birthday. I got out of bed later after my late night. Neither Lily or I had been sleeping a lot lately and I’m always grateful that Lily is the one with energy in the morning. I was slow getting out of bed, and slow showering, but I finally made it upstairs so Clarissa could open her door and see her presents.
After we sang Happy Birthday to her in front of her presents we took her downstairs were Lily had gotten donuts, and we lit candles, sang happy birthday again and let her open presents.
After the festivities, we swung by Best Buy and Bed Bath and Beyond for some final things for Georgia and then took her to her new home.
There was a complication when Legacy Village told us they couldn’t let Georgia in because Georgia’s doctor’s office had not yet sent her prescription orders and information so they could properly manage her medication. Sarah, who has been so great, suggested to Lily that tomorrow would maybe work better to move in. Lily was very firm with her that it had to be today, and I’m so glad Lily stood her ground. I was planning to return to work tomorrow, everything was moved over and ready, and Georgia was in the car ready to be in her new home. We waited about one hour in the car and finally everything got sorted with her Dr.’s office. Then there was a new wrinkle which was that one of her prescriptions was not from her doctor’s office, but rather from her neurologist. Then we had to track that down. Meanwhile, Georgia was having a mild episode in the car. All in all we waited an hour and a half or so and then Sarah finally confirmed we were good to come in. Thank goodness! I think that might have been a mistake because two or three hours later the neurologists office called me to tell me they just sent the paperwork. I said, “are you sure you just now sent it and that you didn’t send it earlier?” I asked this because we had been inside a couple hours at that point and supposedly that was the paperwork our entrance was waiting on. Maybe God just threw us a bone because Georgia was needing better accommodations then sitting in the car waiting for her room.
Once Georgia was in her room, I stayed her for a long time. After some rest, she started to feel better and she helped direct me in the unpacking. We got everything set up, and I also talked with the med-tech. I was there four hours or so, and Georgia and I were both in very good spirits. Unpacking together was fun. We both liked her room a lot, and thought the space was not as small as we feared. The place looked quite cute the way we were doing it up, and we talked hopefully about the peace, and order she will experience in her new home. Georgia thought it could feel more like a temple to her. I had a really good and happy time unpacking with Georgia. I felt affirmed that we made the right decision. At multiple junctures she would get tired, or need care, and the care center staff were right there to help her. They were all very sweet and capable. Georgia also did a great job eating her lunch, and eating has been a challenge for Georgia. It all felt hopeful, and I loved spending the time with Georgia who I love so much. I also set up her Amazon Echo Show. I felt very energetic and happy while helping her and was grateful for the energy given the past couple days I did not feel as well and I didn’t sleep much last night. She also seemed hopeful and in good spirits.
I then left and got a couple more Echo Shows for us at Best buy so it is easy to video call Georgia whenever we want. While driving from Georgia’s to Best Buy, I pondered something that Georgia told me previously. She said that a week or two before he big episode with the ambulance, the Spirit told her, “trust me.” I pondered how Georgia has been declining for months. It has gotten harder and harder for her to live in our home with all of its noise and bustling, and how it has also gotten harder and harder for Lily as her mom has needed more attention. I pondered how Georgia seems to be doing so well, and in the perfect place for her needs, and not there is pressure relieved at home. I pondered how it seems to be the right thing for everyone, but without a major dramatic episode involving a hospital, we, the family, would never have taken the time to pull the alarm, rally together, deeply process her situation and find the right solution. I would have never taken 7 days off of work, and we’d all be trying to make it work at home. I considered the possibility that Georgia’s major episodes were divine interventions to get us to do the right things for everyone. I recently listened to a talk by D. Todd Christopherson, and he makes the observation that sometimes adversity comes to us to help us make an important course change. I have felt God’s hand in this, and I know Georgia has too. Also, on the way home I brought a big Cold Stone Icecream Cake, and we did one last celebration for our sweet Clarissa turning 3.
Then at night Lily went over to be with her mom, do the finishing touches on unpacking, and help Georgia decide what artwork to hang and where. It was so neat that both Lily and I could spend quality time with her to help get her situated and comfortable in her new environment before the Caronavirus rules kicked in.
We love you Georgia and Clarissa!