The three 'seniors' on what is missing!

There are three of us, who are waiting for Anna's return from her visit to  the grandchildren, Daphne, Dulcie and myself. 

Daphne has been convalescing after her surgery for her tumours and her progress has impressed us. At an advanced age for her breed, she is considered to have malignancy and new tumours have appeared on her body since the operation. 

She has a regular evening walk with Anna and she looks forward to it. In case Anna gets delayed, she would remind her with her friendly growl meant only for Anna.  In case I offered to walk her, she would look towards the room where Anna is seated. In fact, Daphne has her yard just outside where Anna sits to do her work.  Anna allows her to wander in the garden and she makes her regular visits to all the corners that she is used to. Anna would be on her evening walk at that time. When Daphne finished her round in the garden, she would come to join Anna in her walk and moves towards her kennel when Anna is ready to return. That is closer to her evening meal, which Daphne looks forward to. 

Since Anna has been away, I tried replacing Anna's engagement. Daphne will come for the morning walk with me, but keeps looking at me hesitantly as in the photo above when I call her for the evening walk. She needs persuasion to do her evening exercise walk. She is less sociable now and conveys a message that something is different. When Anna is in the garden, Daphne accompanies her in her chores. 

Dulcie appears even more disturbed. She too has outlived the longevity of her breed. Her routine is to be near Anna through the day and night. She sleeps below our bed, on a carpet woven for her by Anna and goes to the corner to her bed only in  between. From the time Anna gets up, Dulcie follows her. When we have our early morning coffee and reading time, she would be near her feet on the carpet, next to her chair. The photo above is her sitting in the same place, while I am at the table. When we have her meal, she is back next to Anna's chair on the floor at the dining table. Dulcie has her favourite place next to Anna's table where she spends good part of the day writing and editing. 

Dulcie has her walk in the evening with Anna before Daphne has her turn. Dulcie wants to wander in the garden and can sometimes disappear without any sign of her presence. Although she would respond to our calls, it is on her terms. 

Since Anna has been away, Dulcie is not herself. Her brisk walk and desire to chase us while running is of little interest to her.  The photo above shows that on her face. 

Anna has conversation with the fish in the aquarium. I cannot guess how much they miss her!

Anna and I have a rhythm we share during the day since our retirement from regular professional work. There are times of reading in the morning and evening, evening walk and conversation time around our morning coffee time. The day drags longer without these refreshing times. 

It is through such short absences, we cherish the strength and pleasure of the times together,  bring to us. 

Both of us during the day have paid attention for several months to bring out three publications which we hoped would be ready by the year end. One, on Parenting presence is published and the other two, Enabling the child and Manual of Ideas are pending. 

Our life after retirement have also been colourful with some involvement in the formative process of professionals. It is a time to return to our biography and experience the fullness of life we have shared together for forty years. We find life unfolding to a new depth of meaning and purpose. 

With only ten days more for Anna to return, all three of us are in that expectant mood. I think that Daphne and Duclie made efforts to cheer me up. Daphne would come to sit next to me when I read the news paper and Dulcie would come and give me a lick on the feet on a few times in a day. 

The two domestic helpers who support us, have been generous to attend to details which Anna normally supervised. 

Anna's time with the grandchildren has been a significant time to support them when their parents have been away. Anna's presence and 'grandma' times have made it easier for them to continue schooling normally.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)