High

I am happy to report we are still flying on a high of happiness.  Randy has been in such a great place for over a month now.  It’s been such a peaceful and needed change.  As I’ve said before, I dread the end of the high he is on but will do my best to enjoy it.

He has returned from his solo travels safely but not without a few glitches.  Due to no fault of his own, these will be his last.  

Southwest Airlines just can’t seem to get the “traveler assistance” concept right.  His return to California from Denver was chaotic and scary.  They assisted him off the plane and to a secure location without informing anyone.  It took over an hour, numerous people and several trips through security, down to baggage claim (he only had a carry on), and repeat, before he was located.  He was frantic and near tears, as was my cousin, who was trying to collect our precious cargo.

Amazingly, after his fear and anger subsided, he was back on his happy high.  Not at all what I expected.

Second part of his trip was to Arizona.  Again, Southwest dropped the ball but, on a much larger level.  This attempted retrieval took damn near 2 hours as we were told all of the dysfunctional, stress inducing, following:

-His gate had changed
-He never boarded this flight
-He must have de-planed during the stop in San Diego*
-Sorry, we sent you to the wrong gate for the wrong flight
-Oh wait, he was “assisted” off the plane because no one was waiting to pick him up (because you sent us to the wrong gate)
- Yes, we have him, we just don’t know where

*Side note…. I’m quite sure the Harbor Police in San Diego think I am a raving lunatic!

Finally, he was located, happy and giggly.  This was not the case for myself or the family member who picked him up.  There were tears in epic, exhausting, proportions for the two of us.  The terror of thinking he was lost was truly emotionally draining.

However, Randy never lost faith.  He told us that after the incident in Sacramento, he knew he was safe and he knew we would find him.  Sometimes, he amazes me.

I am glad I gave him this last opportunity at independence.  He had his phone in his carry on but he didn’t know to use it.  He was simply unable to help himself.  Under pressure he can provide zero information about himself or anyone else.  His mind shuts off and he is helpless.

So, we close this chapter.  Alzheimer’s robbing him of one more part of his world that brings him joy.  One more piece of his independence.

I know this.  We know this.  He does not.  So, we create joy in other ways.  We find ways to make him smile.  His tribe shows him unconditional love.

And we will continue to ride the high…

Cheers♥️




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