Dennis is home and settling in to a routine. The electrician was able to come this morning to review all that needs to be electrified. He was surprised that we have another structure to illuminate. He came about 10:00am and then left to get an assistant and supplies. Jane called to let us know that Dorothy had taken a "turn for the worse" and also to let us know that they would be heading to Wisconsin to assist with childcare after the birth of their second grandchild in the north. Kristen and Kelly would like to visit with Dorothy. Dennis did not know whether to risk the nursing home germs or if his mother had a need to be in his presence at last time. We all decided to drive in caravan to Avilla since Kelly's children have expressed some curiosity about which great grandma this is and what exactly she is doing. Kelly is at a loss as to an age appropriate explanation so she hopes that the visual will suffice.
The electricians have returned and are hard at work to extend the trench we dug and make the wiring a reality. It turned out to be quite a hot afternoon and I have been kept busy keeping them hydrated. Kelly and Family have decided to leave at about 4:00pm (with Dennis) for the Sacred Heart facility so that they can "visit" and then return to Muncie at a decent hour. Kristen, Holly and I will travel north after the wiring is complete. This plan works until about 8:30pm when the wiring still is not complete and I don't know what is best. To leave nearly complete strangers with the run of our house or to be up all night on the highway. Dorothy won't know what time we are there and the nursing home has no visiting hours. Finally Kristen forces the decision by becoming intolerant of any further delay. The electricians overhear our discussion and share that they, too, lost loved ones to alzheimer's and that they will lock up when they are finished. We pay their bill and head out. The Gnaps plus Dennis are on their way back to Muncie. Dennis is not effected but Kelly is deeply upset with seeing her grandmother so close to death. They warn us what to expect which helps. We three have a nice drive and chat the entire time. Seeing Dorothy is quite a shocking experience. We really haven't seen her since Mother's Day when she was in great physical shape, and not unpleasant. She just peppered us with the same questions. Kristen, like her sister, was too upset to speak and cried continuously the entire hour we were there. Holly had a vested interest the nursing care and since she wasn't very close to Dorothy, this clinical curiosity helped her through the evening. The ride home was more therapeutic than fun, but we made good time and were home by about 1:00am. The electricians finished about midnight and even moved the studio items back into the quilt cottage because they were afraid of rain in the morning. What great people!! A long hard day, but we all fell into beds, glad that it is over!
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