I had calmed myself enough to want to join Mom in our camp chairs in the driveway watching the sky at dusk. I sat and breathed and relaxed. And Mom’s opening comment was, “I want you to do something for me.” Yes, I literally stiffened as I said What. “I want you to take that black box lock thing off the front door. Everyone is asking me if I am moving.” My immediate response, intelligent and nonjudgmental, was They’re all idiots! That lock box has been on the front door handle for four years—four years without worrying what the neighbors might think about us moving. Sarah bought and hung the box because if Dad was home alone (i.e., when I took Mom grocery shopping), and he couldn’t get to the door (he couldn’t get to any door), people could call me for the combination and could open the box for the house key. It proved useful for nurses and family members. But one of Mom’s friends saw the lock box this week and asked her if she were moving, and Mom suffered immediate terror at the thought of leaving her home of 27 years, of her rutted routines disrupted, of the end of life as she knows it. She was correct that we don’t need the lock box anymore because Dad passed away six months ago, and Mom can get to the door…so very slowly.
Rabbit Lane 
I never thought of a lock box being so helpful in that way. Most people, including myself, assume that it is literally for moving.
There are so many benefits to having one. Many people simply hide a key outside somewhere for a trusted few to be able to get in without breaking in to tend to animals or other issues in the event of an emergency. Glad you shared this with everyone.
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Thank you Dawn! I hope you are doing well even in the face of your loss.
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Thank you so much for your constant kindness. Losses. We are without 3 of our animal family members beginning with Jazzy on December 30th. The furry one remaining, Coco, gets stitches removed today after her 2nd surgery (4 tumors in all removed from her left ribcage). It’s the year of the snake, and it’s biting.
But, the weather is beautiful and… well, bubbles and rainbows and happy thoughts… these are some things to focus on. I hope you & the family, Sunshine, and his doting human are well and great (despite what your sweet mom & everyone is dealing with there).
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Thank you, Dawn. So much for my constant kindness. I disappeared for a month behind the trauma and stress. I’m very sorry to be so slow responding to your kind comment. I hope Coco has recovered and is well. Sunshine is well, although a stubborn eater–his human has to hand (force) feed him his cockroaches and meal worms every day. He seems happy otherwise. May the astrological snake’s bite be blunted. Enjoy the fall. Roger
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