My parents have changed. Remembering what was keeps me from noticing the beauty of their life today. These two were the life of a lot of parties. Carl telling a story set on or near a military base overseas where the denouement is an extraordinary meal. Leilani dancing with whoever will dance, her fluid hips revealing decades of cumbia skill.

And now Carl spends most of his days shuttling between a recliner, the kitchen table, and the bathroom. His movements limited to where the walker will fit. Leilani’s dance moves are confined to the cottage, the rhythm of the day set by preparing meals, passing out pills, and the Wheel of Fortune. Her sight limited by macular degeneration. They used to drive all the way from Orange County, California to La Paz, Mexico in 2 days. Not too long ago they camped in scenic spots going cross country. The triumph of these days is the absence of indigestion, getting the remote control to work, and walking to the mailbox.