Each Saturday, I travel about twenty miles to visit and lunch with my dad, who lives in a care home in a neighbouring town. I look forward to the visits but need to be in a calm frame of mind, well separated from my typical busy day. My dad is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, and his world is getting smaller with each visit. Thankfully, he still recognizes us and is happy and content. To prepare for my visits, I don’t rush down the freeway but rather take the backroads, using the time to enjoy the scenery and calm myself. I reflect on a lifetime of wonderful memories. By dwelling on those countless happy moments and experiences with my dad, I am ready for quality time with him. When I am with him, those memories are often recounted and bring him (and me) joy. On the way home, I retrace my backroad journey towards home, processing our time together. The beautiful scenery grounds my journey back to everyday life.
