On the ability to stay up late

By staying up until 11 p.m. to midnight every night for a while, we've been "in training" to prepare for the late night get-togethers so typical here in Argentina. That's been almost as hard as learning Spanish. LOL Seriously, for this southern girl who has never liked staying up too late, it's been a struggle.

Friday night we had dinner with our co-workers and another family. I was quite proud of myself by making it to 2:30 a.m. without falling asleep and off my chair, thereby avoiding embarrassment for my hubby and co-workers ☺ I was even able to participate in the conversation somewhat coherently until shortly after midnight (when we finally sat down to eat). Accomplishing such a feat is huge, considering my brain normally shuts down sometime around 9 p.m. I may look awake but the brain has gone into sleep mode.

Then last night we had a wonderful visit with a lady until 10 o'clock, and I stayed tuned in and able to concentrate right up until the end. Yay! Having known this woman for a while I've gotten used to her speech pattern and cadence which helps immeasurably! I followed the conversation closely and joined in when I had something to say (rather a new experience for me here).

Don't know that I'll ever get to the place of being able to "half listen" as it requires constant concentration with the Spanish. But it's early days and there may yet come a time when it's possible do something else while listening and speaking -- like maybe the dishes ☺

On the way home from our co-workers in the wee hours of Saturday morning, it was surprising the number of people still out and about, especially at restaurants. This morning while it was still dark out (that time just before the sun starts rising) our neighbors began singing 'Que lo cumplas feliz' (happy birthday) rather loudly. They were apparently just winding down their all-night party. Even with the training, don't know that I'll EVER be able to stay up all night!

But our Indiana relatives are doing just that. My father-in-law will be in the hospital another day or two (or three?) and those living nearby are taking turns staying nights with him because he keeps trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom and just isn't physically able to do that on his own yet. My SIL shared that when she stayed Saturday night, it was a LONG night with dad trying to get up every hour. The daughter stayed last night and we haven't heard yet if things were any better. It was taking two nurses to help dad in and out of the bathroom. We just don't know how mom has managed all these months! Because although the stroke made his right side even weaker, he's had difficulty getting around for some time.

When he's released from the hospital, he'll be transferred to Grace Village for rehab. Since the in-laws live sort of kittie-corner from G.V., it's is a perfect set up for this difficult time. Because of the Alzheimer's, dad doesn't understand where he's at or why he's there. He's apparently very confused if mom is not there and obviously, she can't be there all the time. She's 87, just like him, and needs some rest as well.

The good news is that dad was able to do all the exercises with the physical therapist yesterday. And he's feeding himself, with the right hand and arm again working properly. We'll take every small victory we can get!

Again, thanks to all who have been praying!