Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Visiting Grandpa & Grandma Favero in June

Over Father’s Day weekend I had the awesome opportunity of flying down to L.A. and going to see my Grandma & Grandpa Favero in Bakersfield. I had not seen them in 2 years. Since then Grandpa had suffered from a fall where he hit his head and became unable to fully control the right half of his body. When he speaks we cannot understand him (though he does not recognize it). He thinks he is speaking normally and is frustrated when we fail to respond properly to his questions/requests/demands. Though I have heard him say “No” “Yeah” and “Wow”, most of his communication is in the rhythm of normal speech but with the varying use of what sounds like “Wah, wah”.
So while there I took a few pictures and videos.
This one is when he sang hymns while my Aunt Dayna played the piano. He sang in correct tune and rhythm – and even sang tenor or bass on some of the songs!
It was fun making him laugh because that is the Grandpa I remember. Since I couldn’t always understand what he was saying, it was usually easier to tell him stories and fun memories I have with him.
Here are a few more pictures during my stay with them in Bakersfield.
Gpa after shower & Gma trimmed his hairP1100867
Ater a shower and shave and after Grandma trimmed his hair.

Gma cooking us fried apples! (when she made dinner that night she said it had been a long time since she cooked a big meal like this)Grandma made us some fried apples – she had been talking about them for a couple days and they just sounded so good! Besides, even after her cataract surgery that week it was pretty hard to get her to keep still. Always gardening or doing something around the house. This was a safer activity (no bending over as the doctor had outlawed).Linda & Darwin helping Gpa eat



Linda & Darwin stay there 5 days a week and help Grandpa with eating and getting around. It is a big help to Grandma.



I got to spend my last day there with my cousin, Tyler. I hadn't seem him for 5 years! These are his adorable kids, Carter and Lucy.
P1110031P1110032
We drove to L.A. and I saw a bunch of things I had never had the chance to see: the tar pits, Chinatown, Hollywood, farmer’s market, the Santa Monica pier. It was a blast!
Tar PitsTar PitsTar PitsFarmer's MarketSanta Monica pierSanta Monica pier

4 comments:

Jeffrey Kent Favero said...

This is wonderful Jeffrey. Thank you so much for being there with G&G and then thoughtful enough to record and post these timeless memories.

mainly rachel said...

Thank you for sharing! Those precious few moments where his sweet spirit and spunk are able to shine through are priceless. I'm so glad you were able to be with them. I think of him so much, our new little guy is going to share his name and yours, Samuel Robert.

Heidi and Rich said...

Thanks Jeffrey. That was so nice to see him in those moments of music and laughter. I am sure he LOVED seeing you.

Peter FNFN said...

what an awesome update, Jeff! I'm so glad G&G have had special visits like this. I really wish we were all together and they had us around all the time. I've had some fun times making Grandpa laugh too, but i've NEVER got to see him actually sing along with my Mom (& even sing parts)! THANK YOU for posting the videos.
Looks like you had a good time with Tyler, too! Hope all's well in PDX!