Clyde and I drove over on Wed, June 1 after a half day of work. The actual birthday was June 2nd, so we arrived at Grandpa's care center around 9 am and brought him his favorite treat: Raspberries! He eats the whole container in one sitting usually. We loaded him in our car (good thing Clyde was there to help cause moving Grandpa is hard) and went to the senior center where he used to go three times a week until last year when he had all his challenges. He was so excited to see old friends. Many remembered him, but two of the three he used to sit with had passed away, and another lady was now in a care center. People there were so nice and stopped to say hi and wish him a happy birthday. They sang and gave him sunflowers.
After that we went to the Botanic Gardens - I know- two outings in one day~! He loved the flowers, the tropical greenhouse and recognizing some familiar flowers. It was a hot day!
We arrived back at the care center and waited for Carolyn and Jon to arrive for a little birthday diner. We read all the letters that had been sent by the grandchildren and relatives.
For dinner we brought in some yummy food from Mimis and some carrot raisin muffins for our 'cake'. We lit candles ( only 2) but Grandpa blew them out quickly - he has an oxygen tank on the back of his wheelchair....
On Friday we took him to the Denver Aquarium where he saw lots of fish, many that he recognized such as Rainbow Trout, Brown trout, otters, and carp. There were lots of exotic fish too and we saw stingrays, sharks and turtles up close. The best part was the Bengal tiger! since they live in the rain forest, did you know they also swim!? Yep, my favorite part is the tiger in the huge water tank. The plexiglass there is about 4 inches thick.
After that we loaded up again and drive to Carolyn's for lunch with Gary. I know- 2 more outings in one day!
On Saturday we brought Grandpa to his home on Racine St for a lunch with the siblings and the Berg cousins who had driven over from Heber. It was a wonderful time to be together. An hour later, we rearranged the table and put out different food for a little open house. Grandpa's friends came by and visited with him. We only invited a few, and he loved seeing every one of them. His 4 buddies the the Bureau of Reclamation came and sat around him - they love him so much. He blessed one of the man's daughters since her mother was a member of the Church but the bureau friend was not, and years later this same daughter met Grandpa in the temple!
One sister told us how Grandpa was an answer to her prayers. She was not a member, but her husband was. Grandpa asked her to teach Jr Sunday school and she said yes, even though not a member. A year later she joined the church and many years later Grandpa also asked them to go on a mission ( he was bishop a 2nd time)- which they said was the highlight of their lives.
Frank and Lillie Vincent came, as well as others he has know for so long. It means so much to visit with those who have connections with him and have such good memories with him.
The only sad part was when it was time to go back to the care center he said, "I'm going to stay here at Racine." He feels so comfortable there, but does not really process in his mind how he need so much help to toilet, get to bed, etc.
We visited more with the Berg cousins and then visited Grandpa until it was bed time at the care center.
Gary and JD had a fun time with a dead battery in the parking lot. The temperature outside was perfect so Grandpa was out there at the care center with us watching as the battery was tested, removed, and a new one replaced.
Good times with a man we all love and have learned so much from our entire lives. I love how you can see our mom, looking over JD's shoulder in this photo. I thought about her a lot that day.
When I recounted all the outings he had been on that week, he said, "I guess I'm getting pretty active for 95." I think so.
Happy Birthday Enos James Carlson!
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