Your surprise. Here is Dale our resident Old Codger. He is home again. His daughter came from California to bring him home from the Old Folks Home. He is endlessly grateful to the folks at the retirement /rehab home and is so relieved that they were able to help him get fit enough to come home. He has lived on this spot almost a hundred years. His objective was to get back home.
TonTon about wobbled his bottom right off with excitement to find his old friend back in his accustomed place of residence. He carefully moved through the house ’til he found the old man and then threw himself at his feet. I took the camera when I visited and asked him if I could take some photos so that you all could see that he was finally home safe and sound. He was more than happy to sit for you and then blown away when I told him how many people have been reading about his struggle to overcome his badly broken leg and get back home. Why. He said, referring to all the comments and best wishes and grinning.
We thought about this for a bit and then I said. I think that you bring us hope. They wanted to cheer you on as you beat the odds and worked your way back. I still cannot find the right words. I guess in a world full of rotton stories it is heartening to see stubbornness overcome sense and win. The old man who picks up his walker and walks after falling and smashing his leg to bits is a kind of miracle. He went to the right place, worked with the right people, ate the right food and did the right work and succeeded.
Well, he said, smoothing his hair, I don’t expect a marriage proposal. He has a slight midwest drawl to his words which raises his vowels, holds them and bounces them down to the end of each sound. There is a musical quality to his voice. He is at his best when being ironic. He will tease. And he misses nothing.
I will tell them you are rich, I said. He lifted his head and laughed.
He called his dog up to his knee. TonTon raised his head from atop Dales shoe. You know how to get around me don’t you, he said to TonTon as they positioned themselves and turned to the camera.
This young dog and his very own Old Codger. 
I told him how many of you have been following his progress since mid February and he was really chuffed. It has been a long harrowing road back to mobility. And you all have followed through with him.
His bed is in his downstairs office so he will probably be reading the blog today. Safely back home in his parents house on his grandparents land with their furniture, his hundreds and hundreds of books and his ancient computer. This is not a home one leaves easily. This is a house that needs its Patriarch. 
And as Dale said to me yesterday, we will find a way to make it work again. Though I won’t be going up those stairs for a while.
Did you eat a good breakfast Dale? What we really should be looking for is simple nutritious meals that people with limited mobility can prepare at home. That he will want to prepare himself. I am not convinced about the level of goodness in TV dinners. He does not want his food delivered. He prefers to feed himself. But walking with two hands on a walker and carrying a plate of food to the table is incredibly difficult. Picking something up off the floor. Carrying a coffee to your chair by the TV. Unpacking a box. Finding a lost book. He and I will be working out systems to manage all this. So he can thrive while living alone. Just living is not enough- a person must thrive. But, like he said yesterday, we will find a way to make this work again.
He loves ribs and pizza. And chilli. Sweet and sour chicken TV dinners out of their separate compartments. And tomatoes. And junk food in bright orange crinkly packets, which he offers to me just to see me curl my lip and say Not in a Million Years!! He is fierce about his independence. This is a good thing.
I will take him fresh milk and eggs and cake three times a week. And tomatoes, John picks at least one a day now. Everyone needs an old person. One way or the other. Paid or unpaid. Easy or not. Just regular. Make sure you can visit on a regular schedule. It is a committment. A good one.
Good morning. It is 5.30 am. Time to carry the buckets of hot water to the barn and get ready for the milking. Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
65 responses to “The long awaited day: The Old Codger Comes Home”
Welcome back to your home, Dale. Your determination, your spunk, your sense of humor, your positive attitude are all the most admirable qualities. You remind me of my stubborn and strong paternal grandmother. And that is a good thing. Very good.
Like Miss C, I’m not big on you eating those TV dinners. But sometimes you have to do what works. My grandpa ate those all the time, too.
I know you and Miss C can find ways to make getting around and living at home easier. In a small way, I understand a bit of your challenges having negotiated with a walker following hip replacement surgery four years ago. And I had the help of a husband and son. It’s not easy. But patience helps. I trust you’ve been given some tools to help you. Two that come to mind: a long-handled pincher type device that will help you retrieve items and another device that will help you get socks on. I have no idea what they are called.
I wish you the best, Dale. And thank you, Miss C, for sharing Dale with all of us.
This is a lovely story. The photos are wonderful – especially the first one with TonTon. Stubbornness always overcomes good sense, when the sense is someone else’s and not yours. I’m glad he had the sense to listen to no one but himself.
I am so happy he is home! I salute his spirit!
How true, C… To keep them thriving is the important thing. And this is a wonderful story, I am so pleased that he is back home and we got to see his wry smile!
Mr. Dale…Many thanks for showing us how to get it done. Miss C…many thanks for reminding us to touch.
Welcome home Dale! Enjoy the comforts so familiar.
Celi, his daughter in California must be endlessly grateful. A bright moment in my day for sure.
J
No wonder you think so much of your Old Codger, his face is one of character and humour – quite a twinkle there! And he likes to tease which must make your relationship a joy! Congratulations to him for all his hard work and determination.
Christine
P.S. A few weeks ago you left a comment on my blog about how the BandB thing works. Well, later this evening I’m hoping to publish a post covering that subject, so maybe you can pay a visit in between milking Daisy, feeding animals, weeding, cooking, checking on the Old Codger, hosing the pigs…..
I cried reading this. It was so wonderful to chat briefly with Dale yesterday over the phone. He sounded so full of joy! Thank you for this pictoral as it helps to see him in his natural habitat.
How lucky you all have each other to keep tucked safe in this world. I’m so glad to see Dale is home and has faithful Ton Ton to cuddle!! No more risky leg-breaking activity, now!!! xo Smidge
This brought tears to my eyes, for all the right reasons I must add, and of course keeping in mind that I always cry at happy endings of movies … anyway, welcome home, Dale.
Good morning, c, and wakey-wakey farmy!
wait..did i miss something? is ton ton dale’s dog? welcome back dale!!! is there a house for sale next door to you? i would cook for you every day! i am soooo happy you are back where you belong. don’t write off the marriage thing just yet. you are quite a looker for your age! joyce
Good morning! Welcome home Dale! What a lovely post today. It made me cry and brought back wonderful memories of my grandpa. TonTon is such a lover. An angel sent from heaven, really.
Have a wonderful day, Cecilia! ~ April
So thrilling that Dale is finally home! I just love the pictures of Dale and Ton Ton…. so precious!!!
I have a fabulous recipe for egg muffins that can be made, kept in the fridge for 5-7 days and also frozen to eat at later dates. Great use for all the farm eggs! And I made them and they turned out great! Which of course is always so rewarding! Let me know it you want it and you can make a big batch for Dale and he’ll have nutritious breakfasts for a while! xo
I’m absolutely delighted to see that Dale is home in his own beloved surroundings. The love flowing between him and Ton Ton says so much about healing touches and the power of relationship. I have several old people in my life, and count them among my most precious reasons for taking good care of myself! There has to be enough of me to lovingly spread around! I’m smiling and breathing a big sigh of relief with you. Thank you for the lovely photos, Celi, and thank you, Dale, for your willingness to pose. We do care about you! Debra
Like some of the other well wishers, I was brought to tears reading this post..Welcome Home Dale and Ton Ton…you can just see the love between you two in these photos!! Cinderella…you are now becoming your fairy godmother!! 🙂
Love and the Best of Luck to all of you from Gig Harbor, Washington (state) 🙂