Tags
Chick-fil-A, dementia silliness, entertaining a demented person, ice cream, milkshake, peppermint milkshake
I stopped for a milkshake today, and had a little flashback about my dad. After the sadness of the last couple days, I thought I’d share a little silliness with you today. Before we put my dad in the dementia care facility, my mom, my husband and I lived in the same house with my dad and all took turns watching him. We had a schedule so that there was always someone around to keep an eye on him and so that we each still got some down time. But keeping him entertained was a challenge, so sometimes when it was my turn, I’d take him into town for a treat like ice cream or a milkshake.
One of his favorite things was a peppermint milkshake from Chick-fil-A. One afternoon, I drove him to town for said milkshake, and when they passed our shakes to us, I handed him his and turned around to grab a couple straws. In the 10 seconds it took me to get the straws, he had upended his milkshake onto his face and swallowed almost half. He looked up, grinning, with a face covered in whipped cream and milkshake. He was like a 5 year old – just covered in it. And he was giddy. I hadn’t laughed as hard as I did when I saw him like that in a long time. So I let him finish his shake (which took about 20 more seconds) and then ordered a water to dip napkins in to clean him up since I couldn’t take him into the women’s restroom with me.
So now, whenever I get a milkshake or pass a Chick-fil-A, I get my own giddy little smile remembering the abandon with which he enjoyed that peppermint shake.
That’s an awesome picture of Uncke Nick! Totally captures the magical mischief in his eyes…
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I actually giggle every time I see it. Can’t stop myself. 🙂
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You can’t imagine how much I enjoyed this. Knowing your Dad and seeing that enjoyment in his face brought a huge smile to my evening. Thanks for sharing.
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