28 May 2025:

Today Adam came to diagnose the problem with my riding lawn mower. It needs a new coil.

When he left, Marjorie asked, "What is your relation to him?"

"He's your son!"

She was dumbfounded. I'm not sure that I ever got her convinced about her relationship.

"How old were you when he was born?"

"35."

"How many were in your family?"

"Five, but he's not my brother. He's my son."

"Where do his parents live?"

"We're his parents."

"How old was he when he was born?"

"Huh?"

"I guess I should have asked, how old were you when he was born?"

And so on.

I said, "I think that we've reached the point where I'm not only going to have to be your memory, but also do your thinking for you."

"I'm sure of it. You already do."

29 May 2025

"What day is it?"

"This is Thursday."

"Where are we?"

"We're in La Grande."

"How did we get here?"

"We drove down this morning."

"Did we come just to get groceries?"

"No, we came to visit Lonnie and Pat Shurtleff. We spent an hour with them. Lonnie was in a hospital bed in his living room, can hardly talk, and only has a few days left. Do you remember that?"

"No! I can't remember a thing. What's going to become of me?"

"I'm your memory, and we'll be all right as long as you don't forget me."

"No worry about that. What day is this?"

"Thursday."

"Where did we spend last night?"

"In our own bed. In two weeks we're to go to Rexburg for Anniston's baptism. Are you up to that?"

"I suppose so."

"Then the week after that we're to be in Bremerton, Washington for Jarom's missionary farewell. Can we go to that?"

"I'd rather go when he gets home."

"Then two weeks after that we're to be in Seattle for Sadie's wedding in the temple."

"Who's Sadie?"

"She's Nathan's daughter. She called us yesterday to announce her engagement. All of these are important family events. Can we go to all of them, or any?"

Long silence.

"What do you think?"

"I can't remember what I'm supposed to be thinking about. What day is this?"

1 June 2025

"What day is this?"

"Sunday."

"Did I wash my hair last night?"

"You did it this morning so that you'd be ready for church."

"I did!? I have a short memory!"

"No, you have no memory."

But she still makes beautiful music at the piano! She plays every day. She's playing right now.

Marjorie can barely write any more. I had her sign her name on a paper two days ago, and that was an effort. She managed to do it, but couldn't come up with her last name the previous time I had her do it. Yesterday Marjorie answered the phone while I was outside. She knows not to answer the phone because she can't take a message or remember to give it. Since no one else was available, she was forced to take the call. This time she knew enough to tell the caller to wait while she got a pen. The note I found on a paper on the table said, "Dave Jag e 541-519-478 Te m"

I had no idea how to return the call, but Ivy deciphered it. She decided that the last four digits were probably supposed to be "47 eighteen." I called that number.

"Is this Dave?"

"Yes."

"This is James Kerns. I found a note saying that I was supposed to call you."

"Yes, I met with the bishop, and I'd like to schedule my patriarchal blessing."

"Which ward are you in?"

"Baker Valley Ward."

"Who is your father?"

"Jason Bingham." (Here the lights came on).

"Oh!! You're Gage, not Dave. You're Gage Bingham! Now I know who I'm talking to. Let's schedule your blessing for tomorrow. Would that work?"

3 June 2025

"Come on, Marjorie. Let's go to bed. Do you want the first shower, or do I?"

"I have to stay up."

"Why?"

"I have to clean up, and Ivy isn't home. She won't know where to sleep."

"She knows where to sleep. She's been living here for the last 11 months."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

2 a.m. next morning:

"Where are you going? Why are you getting up?"

"I'm going to the garage to see if we have any food."

"What on earth!? Why?"

"Joseph only got this big of a piece last night."

"He had a whole plate full, and there was half a pan left over."

"Well, we don't have any food in the house."

"There are two freezers full in the shop, and two pantries full of food."

"How many people are in the house?"

"Ten, and it's not your responsibility to cook. You're not the cook."

"Who is? What am I going to feed them?'

"Ivy is the cook. You haven't cooked anything for the past 11 months."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Go back to sleep, and quit thinking. You have nothing to worry about."

"I hope you're right."

Father's Day 15 June 2025

Marjorie: "What time is this thing we're going to?"

James: "At 3:30 we're to be at Heidi's. She has invited us to a Father's Day dinner."

"Who's Heidi?"

"She's your daughter. Can you name your daughters?"

"Maretta, Mary, and um, ah..."

James: "Marjorie! You've got it. I didn't think you could do it."

"What time are we to be there?"

"3:30."

"Where is it?"

"In Haines. At the Bradfords."

"What about our company? We can't just walk out on them."

"The Waites aren't company. They've lived with us for the last year, and they're going to La Grande."

On the way home from the dinner

Marjorie: "I couldn't enjoy that. I was feeling guilty about our company."

James: "I wish that I could always know what's on your mind so that I could alleviate your worries. We don't have any company. The Waites went to La Grande to be with Joseph's father."

"Did they pack up and leave? They were there when we left!"

"They've lived with us for the past year. They're not company."

"Really?! How long will they stay?"

"They'll be moving out in three weeks. They've rented a house in Joseph, Oregon. This fall Joseph will be the math teacher at the Joseph High School."