Sunday, January 18, 2015 

Nothing went seriously wrong last night, but mom did call and wake Rob several times, asking to go to the bathroom. Consequently, Rob got little sleep. I, in my viral stupor, slept through it all. Apparently, mom called Nurse! Nurse! And Rob answered the call. God bless him! I would not have been as charitable at 1:30 and 3:30 in the morning.

Last night, the Reading Symphony featured Mozart, including David Schifrin performing the Clarinet Concerto. I was determined to attend, even though I was not feeling well. The house was packed. I had hoped—in vain—that it was because of the Mozart program, but as the youth string orchestra was on the program, I suspected loads of parents and other relatives attended. I suspected this, too, because of all the clapping and shouting of Bravo! and Great! between movements. When the youth orchestra began its rendition of Tchaikovsky’s theme from Romeo & Juliet, I turned to Rob and said, A little too ambitious for them, would you say? But it was too late. Rob had covered his mouth in laughter. He turned to me and said, I keep thinking of Harold Hill. (For readers unfamiliar with the musical, “The Music Man,” check it out. The young performers were clearly not thinking clearly last night! Think, boys. Think!)

Valentino was also a challenge through the night. Last night while we were at the concert, Mia, our friend and caregiver, let him out, but could not get him back inside. So at intermission, I called Betty and had her come down to lure him back in. She was successful and told Mia how to manage it. But in the middle of the night, Val pulled the same thing with Rob. Both mom and Val were disoriented after our brief absence. This does not bode well. Val has still not recovered from the loss of Lucia. For that matter, neither have I. As for mom, she is disoriented with life and has no recollection of being with Mia and her daughter Kris or having called Rob last night. I wish her room were somehow soundproof and the rest of us could sleep through the night. Val finally came upstairs to sleep in my room. I think the events of the evening and the night had finally exhausted him, too.