A note about the old man.

Well, for a start - he is growing a beard as he is too lazy or does not have the oomph to shave anymore. Neighbours have expressed their surprise when spotting him as they reckon he has aged rapidly since the pandemic began. I suppose we do not see it as much as we are with him every day.

He has the odd visitor now and again including his minister and the big boss of the Methodist ministers (both women) who come to give him Communion. He is extremely grateful for those visits. He found it difficult to relate to these women at first but they have persisted and I hear less insults about them these days. Maybe he has had enough of me reprimanding him each time.

He still has flurries of impatience but those are few and far between now. Especially as I keep my distance as much as possible. He also tries to wind me up about certain things especially religion related but his torments are now like water off a duck's back to me so that has little or no effect on me.

I am so grateful for his carer who is one of those living angels on earth. She looks after him mainly but tries to help me out too in any way she can. If I have not washed the pots, I find them all washed and put away. I find the clean, dry washing all folded in a neat pile. I have told her she doesn't not need to do all that for me but she always says she would rather keep busy.

He has taken to her and they have a smooth running routine now. She chats away to him and I hear him responding. She is one of those wonderful souls who sing when they are working.

She has so much on her plate but goodness me, she just keeps going. I remember being like that. But then I trained to be a play therapist and started personal therapy. I had to dig deep so I could clear out all the pain and sorrow of my traumatic childhood. That is still ongoing. But once you start processing all your 'shit', you can never go back to being the person you were. It will change you. Growth will occur and you will evolve with more meaning and a deeper understanding of yourself. It is really hard work but so rewarding.

PS It is not lost on me that this post was supposed to be about my dad but somehow I moved away from writing about him to something more positive. It was not a conscious intention. I only realised once I read it through. But it made me smile. Maybe at long last I am really not being drawn into his dramas.