Follow
Share

My Grandfather lives independently on the North Pole and general does very well with the help of Grandma and about 100 diminutive aides. But every year on December 24th, he has what I can only call a "sundowning" episode. First, he has his aides load millions of toys on his homemade sleigh. Then he rounds up about 8 reindeer (9, if he can find the one with the weird red nose). He hitches them up to the sleigh and whistles and shouts and calls them by name, and off they go. We have no idea where he goes or why, but by morning he is back and the toys are all gone. I've tried to tell him that he's too old for this kind of thing and he shouldn't be driving, but he won't listen. It's making me crazy and I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Oh he does have a reindeer with a very shiny nose that you can even say it “glows”? Well maybe for just this night....
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

My only advice is to keep him away from the eggnog and rum. But please feel free to enjoy one...and I’ll join you! 🥂
Helpful Answer (8)
Report

Moderating this Christmas Eve, and this might be the best thing I've read all year. Thank Grandma and the rest of Grandpa's care team for supporting him, and remind them he might need a little bit of extra sleep for the next few days. I'll keep a watch out for him here in Naples. If he needs some cookies and milk, he can pop in here at any time, we'll leave out a plate.
Helpful Answer (18)
Report

NewandTrying, oh dear, so Grandpa wanders on Christmas Eve. I believe the reindeer know the route and have built in GPS so they can get Grandpa safely home. I would just let the jolly old fellow enjoy his night :)
Helpful Answer (11)
Report

He says, "look, I still have my sleigh driving license so that means I can still drive"!
Helpful Answer (11)
Report

I was just checking NORAD and they've spotted grandpa leaving the Falkland Islands and heading for Argentina... wish I had half his stamina 😆
Helpful Answer (10)
Report
Sendhelp Dec 2018
Where is Grandpa now, CWillie?
(1)
Report
Grandpa left with some new reindeer: "Tipsy, Buzzed, and tied to Blitzen".
He should not be driving this nite!
Helpful Answer (8)
Report

Hope an aide or two are tasked to keep Grandma out of harm's way when the sleigh comes home on Christmas Eve!
Helpful Answer (6)
Report
Sendhelp Dec 2018
Everybody knows the sleigh won't be home til morning and Grandma will have breakfast ready, the elves will feed the reindeer....it is all good!
(10)
Report
This reindeer got left behind!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Time to get a DPOA and contact an Elder Law Attorney, I think.

Merry Christmas to all!
Helpful Answer (7)
Report

I assume he’s back by now, probably sleeping off his sundowning adventure. I’m in grandpas corner on this one, hoping he can rest up, keep his help happy, and be around for a long while to come. Merry Christmas!
Helpful Answer (13)
Report

I want to thank you for this. In a forum and thread so often full of such sadness, your post was such a bright and funny thought. Thank You for it. You have have lifted so many spirits. Thank you.
Helpful Answer (11)
Report

Oh My! This is the last thing I am reading tonight. It doesn't get any better than this! I'm putting Christmas 2018 to bed. Thanks for this story and all the fun comments!
Helpful Answer (8)
Report

I think I saw him kissing my sister underneath the mistletoe tonight too!
Helpful Answer (8)
Report

May be you could put a tracker on him? Also a 'door guard' so you know when he leaves.
Ooo How about a very very long lead from his wrist to Grand Ma's?
The aides could helps keep it straight.

But failing that you may need to get him a replacement/helper?
A Trainee for when needed.
By the way, I must be going a little bit more crazy. I swear I heard some sort of bells outside (when I was sundowning) lol
Helpful Answer (9)
Report

Well, someone should take the reins from him.
Maybe a self-driving sleigh is the answer so he won't lose anymore reindeer.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
She'd been drinking too much eggnog
And we begged her not to go
But she forgot her medication
And she staggered out the door into the snow
When we found her Christmas morning
At the scene of the attack
She had hoof-prints on her forehead
And incriminating Claus marks on her back
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Now we're all so proud of grandpa
He's been taking this so well
See him in there watching football
Drinking beer and playing cards with cousin Mel
It's not Christmas without Grandma
All the family's dressed in black
And we just can't help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts
Or send them back (send them back)
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of fig
And the blue and silver candles
That would just have matched the hair on grandma's wig
I've warned all my friends and neighbors
Better watch out for yourselves
They should never give a license
To a man who drives a sleigh
And plays with elves
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Singin' grandpa
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there's no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Newandtrying.....sitting here in the ER waiting for my dad to be admitted (again) and just now reading this with all the comments! Oh my gosh.....made my holiday!! You guys are the best!
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

pargirl, I hope your Dad is okay. What is he being admitted for?

Thx for bringing levity to my Christmas with this thread.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

He came home looking like he'd gotten stuck in a chimney, but couldn't remember, from what grandma said. She couldn't help but wonder if he'd eaten some of those cookies in Colorado...
Helpful Answer (8)
Report

Time to pause for a new "clause" for Santa. LOL...
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter