Friday

As sweet as our days in Maryland were, today was sad and hard. The main purpose of the day was to deliver the stuff -- bike, a few framed pictures, fake christmas tree, and sundries -- we brought out east for Cheshire to her apartment. We loaded up the car and headed for Brooklyn. On the way, we passed what looked like an old couple taking a walk. It was an old family friend who is younger than David and I wheeling his very ill wife along the sidewalk. His walk mirored his father's at a much older age; his hair almost white. We did not stop but I am almost sure we will see them again before we leave. My mother had told me about their circumstances but it was still a shock to see them.

Later, after dropping Cheshire's stuff off and admiring what she had done with her room -- a soft yellow now with roman shades and pictures on the walls -- we walked 7th Ave in Brooklyn and visited Carolina and David.

David and Julia in front of Cheshire's brownstone home.

Carolina's alzhiemer's is progressing very rapidly. She has had a recent change of medication and David told us that she was doing better than a few months ago, but there was no sign of recognition, and only mumbling with a few words. At times, she looked in my eyes and started to say something, almost as if, as if there were whole thoughts and a recognition of our whole past, but if she got out two words or if she blinks, the herself that I have always known vanished. Only the shell, the lovely outside of my friend remains. Our visit did not upset her in any way, and again, I took that as a positive sign.

We walked Julia so much today. She was fidgity and alive with interest in all that was around her. Brooklyn is a feast for the senses and she wanted to take it all in. It was very hard to walk with her head turned to where she was walking and to continue when she so wanted to stop after every step to see something or someone new.

David leaves for home tomorrow; Cheshire is still with us. Maybe we will try the Museum of Natural History tomorrow. Maybe we will stop eating tomorrow!