The Handyman Part II

Part II

of the Handyman

Multiple Sclerosis is difficult to diagnose. 

Consequently Mother had many different warnings. 

The blindness was the first, then she would have incredible fatigue and finally the tingling numbness in her limbs. 

Mother worked for as long as she could outside the home before finally giving in and retiring.

At home again, she looked at her house with new eyes. 

There was much work to be done. 

Unfortunately, she couldn’t do it herself, but she had two sons and a husband that could. 

So Mother became the foreman and directed her team of handymen from an electric cart that could motor all over the property. 

There was no longer any problem with her eyesight. Her attention to detail was daunting.

So was MS. 

Each winter and summer season saw her lose a little. 

It became a game to see if she could keep stable through the intense cold and then heat. 

Some years were better, but then some worse and soon she found herself bedridden with, my father her only caretaker.

My parents’ love for each other was truly demonstrated during this time. 

My father stayed by her side and attended to her every comfort. 

Mother’s eyesight dimmed, but her memory improved. 

She now used her memory to attend to the details around the house. 

Knowing that it was time to plant flowers, which colors and how many of each would be necessary to fit the planters. 

She would check the calendar and remember that it was time to prepare for winter, to seal the windows and check the furnace. 

Summer was time to clean filters and service the air conditioner. 

Spring would be the time to clean the garage and get rid of stuff that had accumulated. 

Surprisingly, Mother knew exactly what was in the garage and where it was and when it was time for it to go. 

She also kept track of her large family from memory. 

Birthdays, Anniversaries and the holidays were all causes to celebrate and required cards to be sent.