Rollin Osberg

Laurie Osberg looks pretty in pink modeling some What the Zel bling in honor of her father-in-law Rollin.

Set #226 as modeled by Laurie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My father-in-law was Rollin Osberg.  He welcomed me into his life with a twinkle in his eye, and just enough dry humor to annoy his wife.  Alzheimer’s was lurking in the background, but came out in full force after his father-in-law ended up in a nursing home.  Those two would travel to places we still don’t know. Cecil would play navigator, and Rollin would drive.  When the navigator was gone, Rollin’s problems with memory, with names, with places and with people multiplied.

The birth of our oldest daughter was the great joy of his life.  But as she went from infant to toddler, he, too, ended up in a nursing home.  My mother-in-law faithfully visited him, with granddaughter in tow.  When the second granddaughter came along, he was unable to speak, and could only nod and motion.

But Alzheimer’s is like a bank of lights that flicker on and off.  One day, when we were en route to my parents’, we stopped off at the nursing home to leave something for him.  Something in Rollin was alert and aware, and I ran to get the girls and my husband.  For the next hour the girls climbed on his wheelchair and into his lap, and we explored every inch of the facility.  His eyes sparkled, and though he couldn’t speak, his heart sang.  That was the last time the lights flickered on, and in a few months he passed.

I miss him.  I miss the time he would have spent with our son, who came years later. My daughters learned  compassion for those who can’t speak.  They are not fearful of the differences they see in others.  And they know how to comfort those who need a smile or encouragement.   I see Rollin’s  kindness and humor in my husband. Though he doesn’t walk with us here,  I know he is still keeping an eye out on his family.

Laurie Osberg


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