“This is a new life. I want it,” I say to my father who is racked with nerves. “Say it,” I insist.
“This is a new life. I want it,” he repeats dutifully, like a child.
It is the night before his big move from New Jersey to Long Island to be closer us. Even though he lobbied for this, stress emanates from him like the hairs on a caterpillar. He’s so charged, he’s electric.
My doorbell rings and rings and rings interrupting us. It is my husband and two younger boys coming home from the park. My youngest son pokes his big happy face in the side window. His smile is as wide and unrestrained as the curly hair bursting from the sides of the helmet covering his head. He has been practicing on his new roller skates. I open the door and put a finger to my lips. He nods in understanding still beaming, and awkwardly stomps and slides his way to me for a hug to keep from falling down while simultaneously lifting my spirits.
Weeks ago I asked my father to fill a single box with books or tapes that he felt he couldn’t live without, not an easy task for a hoarder.
“Can I have 3 boxes?” He bargained.
“Yes, but let’s start with 1.”
“How about five, can I have five boxes?”
“Probably, but let me see you fill one.”
Yet instead of filling even one box, he spent the weeks negotiating over how many boxes he could take, and then working on stuff to give away. Now the night of the move, he has not packed a single thing. It’s no skin off my nose. His place is a cluttered shit hole. The more stuff he takes, the faster this new place will become a cluttered shit hole.
“Dad, you don’t need those things anymore. Let’s start fresh.”
“But collecting these things is all I’ve accomplished. I know it’s small but it matters.”
He’s regretful, but thankfully still sounds rational and lucid.
“You’ll find new things that matter,” I say looking out the window where my middle son and husband catch the last bits of day tossing the ball back and forth to each other on my overgrown lawn.
“I need to find a purpose. I have no purpose.” He laments. “And I can’t fill these boxes. It’s too hard. It’s too painful.”
“I know,” I soothe, unsure where my new found zen is coming from. I’ve spent these weeks gaining weight, spouting grey and blooming cold sores as I called social services, doctors, and advocates for the elderly. We are blindly jumping ship which isn’t great when you haven’t secured your lifeboat.
“Don’t worry. I’ve bought you all new things. You’ll have everything you need.”
I walk past the computer room where my oldest practices his Haftarah for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. His sweet voice swells with such beauty and hope I could cry.
“This is a new life,” my father repeats the mantra, trying to muster some enthusiasm, “I want it.”
I look around at the love that is here and think that if this doesn’t put joy in his heart nothing will.
“Good.” I confirm. “Because tomorrow it begins…”
Ready or not… Here he comes.
Icescreammama 
You are a wonderful person mother daughter friend. Be strong today when you get home your 4 boys will be waiting P. love u Sent from my iPhone
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Praying good things will come from this endeavor! One step at a time. ~Elle
I hope so, but I’m a realist.. Thanks.
Girl. This is intense. Keeping writing about it and I’ll keep reading. oxoxox
Holy day!!! So glad to be home with my ice cream but I’m back tomorrow morning. Recharging! And, it could’ve gone worse! So that’s good. 🙂
You are a good person. Good luck!
Thanks. Doesn’t always feel that way, but I do the best I can.
You are just amazing. I can practically hear your son practicing his haftorah while you negotiate with your father and the whole thing is intense and so beautifully written.
thanks. it’s been a tough week!! but one day at a time, things will get done. at least, that’s what i keep telling myself.
Love it. Been there, done that. Although it’s difficult, embrace the process a day at a time.
Whew… it’s a tough process to embrace. Thanks.
Aw, hugs to you and wishing your dad’s move to go perfectly now for all of you.
Aw, he is really trying hard, poor man. Aging sucks.
He is but… well, let’s just say being sick sucks. thanks.
Sometimes it seems like aging and being sick go hand in hand. He’s lucky to have you.
I really appreciate that. although he was sick before he was old. bleh. thank you.
That’s even sadder. I guess we have to accept the people in our lives for who they are, the good, the bad and the ugly.
It is sad and you are very wise.
My family have their issues, too. I like to think of it as a broad streak of crazy running through the family.
It’s true. None of us are alone. 🙂