blustery day

driving to the hospital the rain and wind blew leaves across the road. autumn has certainly arrived in full motion today. the red leaves seem more brilliant. pine cones cover the yard as do tiny tree seeds. i brought my daughter a fleece blanket, a plush animal horse, chocolate milk, banana and cookies. the elevator door opened and there she was waiting for me. one of the staff told me she had started to wait there a little while earlier, and when asked if "are you waiting for mom?" she answered yes. there's a clock in that area and she was watching it. she knows i will be there. made me glad i was there. she talked a lot and i didn't understand much today. the horse appeared to have triggered some idea that a horse she rode in the past (and is in horse heaven now) had come back to life. she cradled the little plush horse and draped the blanket around her shoulders. she paced more and yawned a lot. i think she looked tired today too. i stood in the hospital and looked out the window at the leaves on the trees and the rain and wind and it seemed time was passing so very slowly. so slow.