A task of two halves

In the last few years Mr R has suffered with age related macular degeneration. After moving flats at the beginning of November he had to be admitted to hospital only 24 hours after moving in. He stayed in hospital for 3 weeks and when he was discharged just over a week ago he returned to the new flat, and has been adjusting to where to find things again. His former neighbour had kindly helped to organise his fridge a week ago and most boxes had been emptied and items put away. Mr R was grateful for the assistance with mapping the new layout and emptying the final boxes of ornaments and toiletries.

Firstly Mr R was keen to talk, and so the task became one of chatting and unwrapping while Mr R continued mapping his new environment. Mr R talked about his siblings, describing the framed family photos and keepsakes given to him by his daughter, grand daughter and nieces. While I finished putting away some new socks and toiletries Mr R recalled his various jobs in the military, accountancy, sports and on film sets. A love of classic cars and regular travel before his sight degenerated. There was so much talking going on that I forgot to take a photo whilst at the task.

Finally we checked the fridge for out of date perishables. With those items out of date to be thrown out Mr R wasn’t best pleased that a packet of chicken and mushroom slices had hidden one of his firm favourites; a mini trifle. Luckily there were 4 still in date so not all was lost.

After 90 minutes it was time for me to leave and Mr R asked “Alexa” to play Christmas songs. I’d not realised how many times Alexa had been proposed to over the years, until Mr R said he’d given up trying now he knew it was over 6000 a year.