It is that time of year when waking up at 7:00 a.m. finds us in the dark and experiencing much cooler temperatures. So hard to tell yourself to get out of bed. After turning on all kinds of lights to navigate, without bumping into everything, I ascend the stairs to see if Don is ready for breakfast.
I get my first glimpse of a dark, rainy day outside the sliding glass doors to Don’s outside deck. It prompts me to turn up the thermostats. Not only does Don get cold on these fall mornings, but he’s requesting warm oatmeal and hot coffee. He looks wide awake, as if he has been eagerly waiting for my appearance long enough.
I head towards the kitchen, turning on lights as I go. I prepare nice warm oatmeal and hot coffee and deliver the food, drink, medication, brown sugar, butter, milk and napkins. Instead of focusing on consuming the oatmeal, before it’s not warm anymore, he looks out those same sliding glass doors and contemplates what he sees.
Don: Thank you.
Kristy: Is there anything more you need?
Don: What a clear, calm, and sunny day today!
Kristy: Do you not see all the rain and water on the deck and roadway?
He squints his eyes, wrinkles his nose and stares out at the dismal start of weather for today.
Don: Where?
Note to Self: I guess I can turn those thermostats back down.