Walks with Grandpa

By Kathrine and kids

Ryan was four and Emma was two when they first started walking with Grandpa. I thought they were just going on small walks up the street, but after hearing Ryan's stories about the wilderness and the things he saw, they must have really explored the open space in White Gate. Grandpa could never go on long walks before he retired, because he had so many responsibilities and his little beeper would always call him back if he ever tried to get away. We were all excited to spend time with him after he retired. Emma would put on her white sandals and grab Grandpa's finger and be off.

When Grandpa visited us here in Provo, he would be out walking around town most of the day. In the summer he wore that Sherlock Holmes hat or a baseball cap, and in the rain it was his fleece with an umbrella. In the winter, you could always spot him in his Costco coats and beanie. The kids loved to go with him--he somehow always ended up at the dollar movies or the creamery.

Speaking of the Creamery, this is Emma's favorite: We walked to the Creamery with Grandpa, and we brought that yappy dog with us (Betty Bop). We didn't know what to do with it--we couldn't take it in with us, and we couldn't tie her up since she barks so much. Grandpa put her in the garbage can right outside the door. We had a great time--she was actually quiet--and when we were all done, he just took off the top and tipped it over so she could climb out. (Too bad every house doesn't have large garbage cans to keep yappy dogs in!)

The kids didn't know their grandpa had Alzheimers until he had a hard time talking. They didn't understand what that meant (Emma thought it had something to do with All Stars, but instead it was All Timers), until they realized they had to tell Grandpa it was OK to cross the street. Then, Grandpa was no longer taking them on walks--instead they were taking Grandpa on walks. That's OK though, because they still ended up at the Creamery.

One day, Grandpa seemed particularly anxious, so Ryan went out with him. They were gone probably an hour or two, and when they got back, Dennis was still anxious and wanted to keep going. That is what having multiple kids is all about--Jeshua took him out for another hour. Now it was Emma's turn, but she didn't want to go on a walk. This was during her "Wicked Time" when she sang all the songs from the play. She somehow talked Grandpa into sitting down to listen to her sing. Tears started to stream down Grandpa's face, and he told her to sing more. She was glad for the invitation (everyone else told her to be quiet). She sang to him till he fell asleep.

We have been eating oranges, raspberry sherbet, bread with jam, pre-made hamburgers, and frozen corn for two days straight--it makes us feel like he is here. And when we are on long walks, we will always wonder if maybe he is here.