Lighthouse

It was one of those days where I seemed to spend hours waiting in a queue to speak to an operator who solved the problem with one 'click'. Even worse were the calls made where you were first preached at, about how good the service was, and then offered the choice of 'press 1 for........', but you know exactly what I mean.

Could it get worse? It did! I was asked by a recorded voice at a Power Supplier which department I wanted. Gas, electricity or both. I wanted electricity, but accidentally said gas, quickly realised my mistake and apologised. Apologised!......... to a bloody machine!!!

Never again. From then on, when I heard the recorded voice, I hit the 'hash' key about half a dozen times, and I was through to an operator, a human one, within 15 seconds. And that's the way it will be from now on. Heavy on the hash!

I must apologize for not keeping pace with 'Lighthouse'. It's been a bit of a systems shock for me, taking on the extra work. But like Arnie......... "I'll be back!"

In 'A Little Present', I feel I was slightly misleading about the character of the vicar. The story about the collection envelopes was perfectly true, and as I said, it was no surprise to me. I also remember when my father was spending his final days in hospital two years ago, the same vicar spent many hours taking my mother to and from the hospital, and made sure that if he could not take her, there were others that would.

The vicar was a patient in the same ward only a few month earlier, so he knew all the nursing staff. He made sure that my mother had access to my father, even though the ward was officially closed because of a Norwalk virus outbreak, and others were not allowed visitors.

I didn't think any the worse of him for the 'little present' and I think my mother summed it up when I said that the vicar was probably missing her. She said "I doubt it.........but I bet he's missing my envelopes!"

I mentioned in the previous post that we had made a trip to pick up my mothers favourite chair and to bring back some clothes, along with other items.

While we were there, the front door was pushed open and in walked the local vicar. He'd brought the Church Magazine for my mother, expecting her to be there with us.

I explained to him that because of her mobility difficulties, she had decided to stay with us and that it would probably be permanent. He then asked if I would give my mother a little present from him, and I said that of course I would.

With that, he went to the sideboard drawer and took out her collection envelopes for the year and passed them to me!

Now why was I not surprised?

The answer is a definite 'YES'...............well, sort of!! My mother is staying. We finally got an answer at mid-day on Wednesday, about an hour before I had to go shopping for her return home. It was very much a case of 'make a decision for me', which is the most difficult one to make. Anyway, we said 'Yes' and she agreed.

Cag, my wife, and I made the trip to Torquay to collect medication, dressings and most important, her chair. One of those motor driven ones that toss you about in all directions, at the press of a button.

I've set things up in such a way that all options are still open. I've contacted all those who need to know, but I've said the she is staying on in Cornwall for a couple of extra weeks and she will contact them when she returns. That way no doors are closed. Care packages are difficult to set up, so these are on hold for the moment. Just in case there is a change of mind.......... but I doubt it.

Now, an early night I think........ it's been a long day. g'night folks.