And Life Goes On...

Mom slept all through the night, and was bright and aware when I got her up for a late breakfast. She was shaky walking at first, but soon was doing better than she has for days. She ate and drank well - not surprising after a day of virtual fasting. Fortunately, she did not ask about Santi, or miss him. For once I am grateful for her memory loss.

These little strokes are interesting. Mom always seems to feel worse just before they happen, and much better afterward (after a long sleep). Last night she had the classic garbled language. This morning she is talking normally. She's in a good mood.

She is back in bed for an afternoon nap. I'll go out and bury our beloved friend Santi, and say our final goodbyes. Life goes on.

Ups and Downs, and Very Sad Happenings

After a few days of being more awake and aware, last night Mom had another little stroke after dinner. She had a hard time moving to the walker to go to bed, and had an uneasy night. She slept all day. I finally got her up about 5PM for dinner.

Again she was having trouble eating, and then obviously had another stroke. After a few minutes she became unconscious. Fortunately I had left her in the walker (which is also a chair) so I could easily get her back to the bedroom, but I still had to move her from that onto the bed.

Santi, the cockatoo, was very upset when she had the stroke, and was very much in the way as I was getting her into bed. I picked him up and put him outside the door, so I could get Mom settled in.

Mom regained consciousness after I got her into bed, but was not aware and I left her to sleep. When I opened the bedroom door, Santi was still on the floor, having his own seizure.

I swept him up in my arms, and felt him go limp. His heart beat for awhile, but he did not regain consciousness, did not come back into life.

This lovely cockatoo who has been my mothers constant companion for 44 years has died in my arms.

I bought a mostly featherless chic in a pet store in Sydney in 1970. I hand-fed him until he was feathered and eating on his own. He was my constant companion for a year, as I traveled around Australia, and after I settled for a while in Canberra. His friendship made up for the friends I couldn't seem to make in a country I considered my own. When I wanted to travel again, I sent him home to my parents. When I returned a year later, they had claimed him as their own.

Santi has been my mother's best friend, and seen her through the death of two partners. His big personality and steadfast love and devotion have filled the losses in her life.

This beautiful bundle of white feathers and huge energy, devoted friend and tremendous presence will be sorely missed. I can't believe his soul has left the body lying there, that I will never interact with him again. I'm so sorry that I made him leave Joy when he was so concerned about her, and left him alone. Forgive me, dear one. Fly far, pure soul.

Christmas Day

"You've Got Mail"

May I Help You?

Six months ago Alex the African Grey died unexpectedly. This morning I discovered a site about a Arielle, a macaw who speaks English fluently.

This made me think of Santi, who has been my friend longer than most humans. A Greater Sulpher Crested Cockatoo, Santi is a force of nature. He came to me while still a chick, and now lives with my mother. He has always communicated freely with humans, dogs, and other birds. One of my favorite stories is from when he was living with me in Seattle.

Santi loves being outside. He was in a large camillia tree next to my porch, and I was sitting on the steps reading. It was a sunny day, and the street was quiet. The phone rang. I ducked inside, grabbed the phone, and came back out. Santi was gone.

During the two minutes I was out of sight Santi climbed down the tree and walked across the road to visit the neighbor working under his car. He sauntered quietly up, crest raised, until he was next to the neighbor, his beak by the man's ear. Then he said "Hi! What'cha doin'?"

When I got down the stairs I saw a young man standing next to his vehicle holding Santi on one arm and rubbing his head with the other. They were still in conversation. There was a group of people around them. Santi was delighted to make new friends. He knew more people on the street than I did.

Every one on the street knew that story by the end of the day.

Christmas Spirit

This is MY present! Go open your own!