Whenever Smokey and I would come back from a neighbor’s dinner or party or whatever, we still had to have our nighttime routine. Even truncated down to 15-20 minutes if we got home late. Get home, mom puts on her PJs, washes her face, gives Smokey his post-dinner treats (even if he had treats at the party etc) then Mom sits down, turns TV on, check email, check markets, etc. But sits there in the living room while Smokey has his treat and settles in.
Then after 10-15 minutes, I could take my vitamins, brush my teeth etc. Give Smokey nighttime skooshes, turn off lights etc. But there was zero chance we could just do that when we got home. Smokey and I had our routines – many of them – and there was no changing that. But that’s OK, it was comforting.
I remember trying to just go to bed if we got home late (my neighbor dinners can go late) but then he would just pace around the house, unsettled. So having this routine, even if shortened, made everything ok. Why would I not do that.
My neighbor had me over for dinner a few days ago. And then another neighbor dinner tonight. And I have another tomorrow. I truly appreciate that everyone is concerned about me. But coming home to no routine breaks my heart.
