What I wouldn’t give to bring you down to breakfast in assisted living again. All the tables were set for a formal breakfast gathering, complete with a fresh flower in a vase. You would always order pancakes. Blueberry pancakes with bacon. Your favorite. Along with orange juice, coffee and dessert. We always enjoyed these holiday meals.

Then we would go back to your room to watch TV together and open your presents. You especially loved scratch-off lottery tickets. It didn’t matter what the prize was, even if it was just a free ticket. You won something and that’s what mattered to you. It would bring a huge smile to your face. I can still see it now.

Then we would go out for your favorite Father’s Day steak dinner. Always to Red Lobster. They actually had the best steak around. We would take our time and just enjoy being out together. You would even have a beer.

We would return to your room to watch more TV and have dessert that I brought in. A blueberry pie from one of the local farms.

We would sit together and talk about current events while also reminiscing about your past, until the aide came in to help you get ready for bed. It was still early, so you’d sit in your chair for a little while longer until the end of your TV program. You would then tell me you were tired and ready to go to bed.

I’d help you out of your chair and walk you over to your bed. You took your slippers off. You would lay down so I could tuck you in. You loved, loved, loved it when I would tuck you in. Then we would do our good nights together at the same time. We would say: “good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite”.

As you closed your eyes, I would tell you that I’d see you tomorrow. Then I’d turn around and walk away, quietly closing the door behind me.

If only…just one more time.