Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A heartfelt thanks.

Sometimes the cats move over and let me say a few words. This is one such time. 
I have just come back after sitting with Glyn for a short while. It warms the heart to see him in his own home sharing a Cornish pasty with Nadolig who seems glued to his knee. Quiet and thoughtful Glyn was settling in to the solitude of home after being in the world of busy institutional life, and though tonight the windows will be dark eyes on the night again, soon he will be home, and Nadolig will sit on the sunshine doorstep and Glyn will enjoy the butterdark dancing daffodils and primroses that decorate his garden.
For now it is good to see him and his heart is full of all the cards he has been sent from all around the world. I know the fact that people from far away and across the wide world sending him get well wishes have helped him through this difficult time. The simple care shown to him and to his cat, the time taken to show such kindness to a stranger, this is what the world should be like always. He sends his thanks and to that I add mine. When he comes home he will bring all his cards back home with him, and his cat blanket that was sent for Nadolig.
So thank you. From all of us.

18 comments:

Donatella said...

Thank you for the update. I may be an ocean away, but I look for news of Mr. G and Nadolig every day. I want to thank you for your beautifully written and evocative posts. I'm glad that you've made us part of your virtual world. Now, I have to find a tissue for my leaking eyes.

Sandies' Patch said...

YES!I agree with all that you said, wouldn't the world be a smaller and better place?
I am glad that man and cat will be reunited in their own home soon.
That bit of news has lifted me out of the doldrums!
Sandie xx

The Ginger Darlings said...

The hard thing is that though Glyn is very well in himself he travels to and fro in time. Today he asked me again about his friend Leonard Edwards. They had been good friends and long ago would sit in the garden in sunshine and talk over the days doings. He wanted to know where he was as he hadn't seen him for a while. I had to tell him, again, that Leonard has been dead for over 20 years now. When I moved here the house next door was in a sorry state of decline as Leonard had died. I could see the confusion as he struggled whether to tell me I was wrong, he had seen him only the other day. And later I realised that although I remember telling him at least twenty times for Glyn this would be the first time he had heard it. Again. Each time it must feel the same. And so confusing. Age is not kind.

aromatic said...

My heart was gladdened to hear the news of Glyn and Nadolig reunited once more, but then so very quickly saddened to hear of Glyn's problems with remembering things and so I know only to well the path that this is taking..... however with the love and care of good friends such as yourself Glyn for now can enjoy the muddled times with understanding.
Love Jane xxx

Terra said...

I found this story and post very sweet, and it brought a tear to my eye. Yes, aging is not always kind. How lovely that someone sent the kitty a blanket, and that Glyn received cards from round the world.
My own friend who is 85 is "fading", so I relate to you and Glyn.

The Ginger Darlings said...

It was so good to see that small cat so smug and happy on Glyn's knee. The house is cold. I think it will be hard for him to get used to being back on his own, but he is ready now and thankfully has a very supportive and understanding care team behind him who are determined to make it work for him.
I hope that the sun will come out tomorrow for him and that being home will help him settle.

Val said...

Jackie is it Ok for the kids to still send pictures? and if so is it ok to send them c/o the same address?

You are right age can be very cruel but Hopefully the sun will shine and Mr Griffith will be able to enjoy the Spring and Summer, and Being in his own home with his own cat his mind will settle more.

The Curious Cat said...

Thanks for the update...I'm so glad that he is doing okay and that the support of others has been a comfort to you all xxx

The Ginger Darlings said...

Val, one of the things he has loved is getting repeat letters. As I said he carries them with him when he is in the hospital. And it is fantastic that despite the fact that he has short term memory problems he remembers he cards, where they came from and feels so very much that people care for him and the cat. Makes him shine like a star. So yes please do, and it will give me a reason to pop round to see him to deliver them.

Val said...

Excellent...will do :0)

Goldie, Shade and Banshee said...

That is so wonderful!!! My kids were asking about him the other day. They may want to send a Spring picture now!

Sobeit said...

It is so heartwarming reading this post on Mr.G and his faithful cat.
Even tho he seems to be confused about some things, I think when he gets settled back in his home on a regular basis he will do much better.
Thank so much for updating us on how things are going. I too check in everyday for new news.

Sobeit

Estorbo said...

I woul' lighe to sen' a keess to Meester Gleen. The Wooman say I shoul' ask hor to translade or he weell nebber onnerstan' me.

I yam sorry nard to beeseet more arften bod the Wooman was away an' there was no carmpudair nowhere.

Unknown said...

There is a wonderful picture in an earlier blog of a view of your (I'm assuming kitchen window) that I just fell in love with. In it you can see the sweet face of one of your ginger darlings just peeking into the picture...I hope you do not mind but I've made it my desktop wallpaper. It sums up just about everything I think that life should include! Thank you SO much for your amazing blog with all of it's precious photo's!

quiltcat said...

I hope that being home will help him settle...i'm pretty sure that it will. When my mother was in hospital she was very confused and upset; once she got home, she was more herself (although since she had dementia, she never completely returned). It sounds like Mr Griffiths was just visiting, not really home yet? I wish him many days of sunshine and comfort with dear Nadolig by his side.

Alistair said...

The care teams are wonderful and it's one of the comforting things about modern health care how determined they are to preserve home life as long as possible. That's so reassuring and important for independant older folk.

I can't begin to imagine how big a strain it must be to have to suffer a bereavement again and again. It just doesn't bear thinking about......

Glad he's feeling better and will soon be able to cope again. Glad to that he has a friend like you nearby to support. That's just as important as any care team.

kind regards....Al

Donatella said...

Could you re-post the address to send cards to Mr. G? I've searched the posts and can't find it. Love to The Pack and The Pride...and Nadolig.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

This is such wonderful news you have shared with us, I'm so happy to read that Mr. G has finally returned to his home, and his faithful little Nadolig is once again warming his lap !
You have been an unselfish neighbour, I commend you for your caring support.
I wish for Mr. G the sun to shine brightly and warm his face, that he may venture outside into his garden, with his Nadolig by his side, knowing there are once strangers out in this world, who really do care about him.
You are an inspiration to me.
If'n I were closer, I would bring you both fresh loaves of Banana Nut Bread ;)