For many years my sisters have gathered at the Chautauqua Institute for a week of fellowship, faith, music, and learning. I never attended for a number of reasons work and family related, but this year my sister Judy determined I would go by gifting the week to me as a retirement present. She knew I am currently tapered down to only working part time, thus work could more easily be balanced with 10 days away. The harder challenge was to make sure I had good coverage for Micah while away as I had never in 28 years left him in the care of others for that long a period of time.
We are blessed with two women who have helped care for Micah for several years during the day, so day coverage was not a concern, but due to Micah’s need to be monitored every waking moment until asleep, covering evening and nighttime hours was a challenge. But thanks to 7 wonderful people and one Blink camera that allowed me to check on him at night in his room from my phone, Micah, and all who helped care for him made it through successfully and I had a wonderful time to refuel in the charming, flower filled Chautauqua community.
The week was not without some drama as the Blink camera revealed Micah up and moving late one night after his aide had gone home and Dean was fast asleep. I was surprised to see him still awake as his nighttime medications generally help him to stay asleep once he falls asleep. But, there he was sitting by his bed with a pile of food next to him on the table that he generally has an apple and carrot to eat before sleep. I am not sure how long he spent ransacking odd foods, such as dry oatmeal cereal; a jar of olives; cheese; ice tea; and several half applies….but he did look a bit surprised when I spoke to him via the camera and told him it was time to lay down and go to sleep. He settled down at last leaving Dean and Melody to clean up the carnage the next morning. The night time ramble mystery was solved when his aide realized she had forgotten his night medications, something I have have done on more than one occasion, but when home I usually hear him up and about and that is the jolt of reminder I need to get downstairs and belatedly give him the needed medications.
His brother Josh also heard Micah up and about in the room he was staying in at his house the night he cared for him, so he got up to investigate and found Micah had decided to open a bottle of wine from a rack in the room he was sleeping in. This was shortly after he went to bed so his medications had not helped him fall asleep so he must have decided a night cap would do the trick. It is good that his brother heard him and investigated quickly or the night cap may have turned into quite a personal party. Needless to say, all bottles with twisting caps were removed from his sleeping quarters for the night.
Like all caretakers that need to be on guard 24/7, it took some time for me to decompress, but the time away was a wonderful, refreshing respite provided by a loving sister and 7 wonderful people who made the experience possible. Extravagant gifts that continue to bless with happy memories. Deep thanks to Judy and the mighty 7: Erin, Melody, Colleen, Ben, Dean, Jes, and Josh who kept Micah safe and provided some special vacation adventures for him as well.
Jan Lessard Peightell August 22, 2022