I’m excited to head to Atlanta this week to see my precious Dad again. I do my best to get down there every couple of weeks.
Dad entered memory care earlier this year in February and has adjusted fairly well. But recently, he’s becoming more confused, more disoriented. And frightened. Which breaks my heart.
As I shared on Facebook yesterday, this pic is from two weeks ago when I was there visiting. Dad and I were sitting out by the pool one evening after dinner, enjoying the sunshine and talking about who’s already waiting for us in heaven (prompted by a devotional thought I’d read from The Word for You Today publication).
I love our visits. Our conversations. I cherish them. And, selfishly, I wish he lived here in Nashville so I could see him every day. Yet I’m also grateful that I’m able to drive to Atlanta every couple of weeks to see him. I’ve always loved to drive. And with a great audio book cued up and Spotify at the ready, the four hours fly by.
But on those days when I’m here in Nashville and really want to see Dad, to talk to him, to “sit and visit” but can’t, I’m so grateful for my Amazon Echo Show.
When the Echo Shows first came out, I saw them and thought, “Cool! But I don’t need that.” We already had a first generation Echo that was still cruising right along. So I didn’t give it another thought. Until . . .
I was looking for something on Amazon one day and an ad in the sidebar caught my eye. For, you guessed it, the Amazon Echo Show. Amazon had dropped the price (to what it is currently), which also grabbed my attention. Still I thought, “I don’t need it.”
But I looked anyway (those sidebar ads work!). And I’m so glad I did.
Because as I scanned the reviews, this image caught my eye:
In his review, Ed (the reviewer) describes how he uses the “drop in” feature on the Amazon Echo Show to talk to his 95 year old mother who is also struggling with dementia. (You can read Ed’s full review here.) I did more research on that specific feature, then quickly bought two of the Echo Shows.
One for Dad. And one for me. And . . . we love them!
We talk at least three or four times a day. Sometimes more often. He’ll occasionally call my cell and say, “How about calling me on the picture phone?” : )
Bless . . .
He can still remember how to use his flip phone (most days), but anything beyond that is too much. But with the “drop in” feature of this device, I’m able to call him and all he has to do is swivel around in his chair and start talking. What a blessing!
I’ve long loved technology (and have to apply discipline in that purchasing area), but I’m especially grateful for my Amazon Echo Show and how it’s enhancing the remaining time I have with my sweet dad. And he is still so sweet. He always has been.
What “technological capability/feature” are you especially grateful for in your life right now? Is this “drop in” feature something you might be able to use with an older loved one?
Tammy
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Tamera Alexander
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That is SO cool! I’m so sorry for what you are going through with your dad but admire you for how you are going about it. I am going through something similar with my mom but she is only 20 minutes away. We just got her a clock that is large print since she’s visually impaired and that has the day on it as she says she has trouble remembering what day it is. She seems very pleased with this bit of technology.
That’s wonderful, Ellie. I love all these “daily helps” we have in this day and age. Praying for you and your mom as you walk this road together. Much love, friend.
I love this. What a great use of technology. So glad you are able to communicate with your dad this way and that it is so easy and comforting to him.
I think I need to get one of those and you can take yours along with you on your Southern Mansion Reader Weekend so I can be present long-distance! LOL
LOL, Linda! You nut! We’ll miss you that weekend, for sure. 🙂
I never was too interested in new technology, although I am 22 years old 🙂
But I can´ t be without my Micro Music System. I love music – especially classical music…
And I absolutely agree – modern technology can be a big blessing.
I am so glad, that I can be in contact with my British friends! And of course with you 🙂
SO true on the music, Blanka. I totally agree. What a blessing that is to be able to carry music with us wherever we go.
I know I’m not as grateful as I should be for all this “convenience,” but I’m working to be more cognizant of that.
Thanks for sharing today! Appreciate you!
Prayers for you and your dad, Tammy. I admire you for taking advantage of every moment with him. It must be hard to say a long goodbye.
I think these goodbyes—however temporary for those in Christ—are hard either way, honestly. Short or long. But they both have their inherent blessings, too.
LOVED your post yesterday, btw. Wonderful! We never stop learning, do we? It’s a journey!
What a lovely feature! Even 4 years ago that would have been great for my mother in law. So happy you have this tool to stay in touch.
Isn’t it cool, Jen? Thanks for sharing today, friend.
I love that you’ve found a way to communicate that works for him! Been praying often for you both.
We do FaceTime in our family. We use it weekly to connect with our kids and their spouses. It settles my mama-heart to see their faces as we talk, and I love getting a “tour” of a new place they’ve moved to or seeing some new thing they’ve done to their homes. I also FaceTime with my mom every week or so, because she likes to see me when we talk! Technology can be wonderful!
Great on using FaceTime with your kiddos! I love that too. Alas, that was too much for my sweet dad so this option was (is) a real Godsend.
There’s just something special about talking face to face, isn’t there. : ) Hugs to you, friend.
I’m so glad I saw this today!
My mom recently moved into assisted living. I’m finding that some days the phone is just too confusing for her. THIS looks like a great solution! Thanks for writing about it.
Also, the pic of your dad talking with you on the Echo Show…adorable. I’m so glad you found a way to communicate well with him. Blessings to you…to all of us…as we navigate the wild and wacky world of dementia care.
So glad to hear the update on your Dad. We lost my Dad eight years ago after “a long goodbye”. We felt blessed to have him in a wonderful memory care facility, since I lived two hours away. It was especially hard when he lost the ability to use the telephone, because that cut communication down so much.
The echo show sounds wonderful. We currently communicate with our daughter and grandson who live across country on Skype. How does the show compare to that? We and they already have an echo.
Blessings to you for a wonderful visit with your Dad!
This is SO awesome, Tammy! What a blessing for sure! Praying for your sweet dad. Love to you both.