A Rather Different World

No one has told Lun that mom has passed away. Lun also showed no odd behavior or demand within the past seven months when there was no show of mom's visit, and our practice of dining with him in restaurants, shopping for snacks for enjoyment back at home, playing with water during bath.

 

In the past, temporary amusement parks were set up by businesses in our hometown as well as in Coquitlam around the school spring break which also covered Easter. By then, he would look into my eyes waiting for my invitation for him to play the “circling game”. There was less such behavior from Lun who seemed to show less interest while aging. Another reason was that the years of Covid have changed our pattern of visit to Lun. Lun follows his routine faithfully.

 

Lun adapted well to the living of the group home after my liver cancer removal, nineteen years ago when he was nineteen, but not us. We had to see him three times a week, including two visits and one happy dine out. One visit was cut for more rest after my liver transplant twelve years ago. He took it well. Again, eight years ago our visits to him were interrupted for sometime after my brain injury (BI) and during the recovery. I was weak both physically and mentally. Visits were returned to normal gradually, till the attack by the acute depression two years later.

 

Chronic deprivation of sleep rendered me incapable of driving, weak and tense. All visits to my parents in the care home and Lun were halted. With effective treatment regular visits resumed, till the Covid 19 pandemic in 2021. Visits were banned when symptoms of Covid were known for any one staff, home mate, and family members, or during an outbreak. Due to the overlapping of time for visit and work, Lun's mom made less visits than before. The inborn weak physique of the home mates rendered them at high risk to infection. We chose to reduce the risk of infection from the community to group home by stopping the dine out routines for Lun. Gradually home mates got used to seeing much less visitors.

 

Once we brought him to dine out after the pandemic. He had a good appetite, but was very nervous seeing staff prepare clothings for him. His face turned red when seeing me.

 

My stamina and balance were weakened after BI. Now I cannot guarantee total control over Lun indoor or outside. I cannot catch up with him if he skips my hand and runs. We have to work along with the development and pay home visits only.

 

I have read a book written by a high function autistic lady who had no memory of her dad between elementary school and senior high. There was no explanation. I have no idea when Lun will recall and miss his mom. I prefer not to touch this topic casually.