Here's to the men in Gilly's life

These photos are from New Year’s Eve. Marvin may never forgive me for publicizing the tender moment he shared with Gilly, but I couldn’t resist capturing it on film. What a Kodak moment (this expression is kind of outdated with the advent digital photography, but you know what I mean).

The second two photos were taken by Marvin; the New year’s Eve kiss (a few hours early) and the aftermath of the kiss.

I haven’t slept as soundly as I did last night for ages. At some point during the night Tamara went to check on Gilly and approached my bedside to provide me with an update, but she could not awaken me. That is really something. I suppose I am able to relax knowing that I have a coconspirator living with me. Yaron is great, but he isn’t home all that much. Tamara tucked herself in for the night at the same time I did, so I guess I let myself fall into a deeper than usual sleep.

We had a code worked out; one stomp on the living room floor means Gilly’s fine and Tamara can stay downstairs, but 3 stomps means I need assistance. It was a one stomp night (on two occasions; I slept through the rest).

Today, Josee-Marie returned and gave Tamara a demonstration; now two of us know how to administer medication through the butterfly. She appealed to us not to be frightened, and to give it to him so he can relax and rest peacefully at night. “It cannot harm him,” she assured us. We’ll decide together if it seems necessary tonight.

He had a good day; he was awake for breakfast and a visit with Jerry, and listened to Steven over the phone for about ½ hour. He kept answering with umhmm’s and no’s and O.K.’s; his responses seemed to motivate his devoted cousin to continue. It was really quite amazing. Steven must have a case of laryngitis by now, but Gilly loved every minute of the conversation.

We are expecting Barb tomorrow. It’s so hard to know how the timing will work out, but I hope he will rise to the occasion.

Tamara, Max and Leora are here for dinner. My kitchen is buzzing with young voices. I think I’ll join them.