Down to the Wire

We had six months from the official date of admission (17 Jan) to sort out the financials for the care home. Which brought us up to 17 July. With the sale of home, then the government holdback because of the nonresident status, then the transfer of funds from Canada to Australia, then sorting out the banking and cheques here... I was finally able to make the final payment. The couriered cheque arrived at the head office in Victoria on 17 July exactly. I like it when things are tied up neatly like that!

Next step is to transfer dad's Canadian pension to his Australian bank account. I've been assured it can be done. I have the paperwork. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly! Canada recognizes that it's citizens may want to retire elsewhere, depending on weather/family, that kind of thing. So you can move to another country and collect your pension.

Another thing of note - and am I ever glad this was done before I took over affairs - Canada and Australia have a reciprocal retirement agreement. Something you don't think about in your youth, but old age may catch up with us all some day, if we are that lucky. And I know there are a few Canadian/Australian country jumpers out there! When it comes to collecting your pension... and if you've spent time in both Canada and Australia... to receive your full pension you have to prove residency in each country. Usually you can prove with stamps in a passport, but what if your passport wasn't stamped? I remember this being an issue when it came to dad applying for his pension. He'd worked 10 years in Australia before moving to Canada, worked there a few years, then back to Australia. Then back to Canada again. There were gaping holes in the information that needed to be sorted out. Like I said, am I ever glad the pension was finalized before I came on the scene! I just have to work out a straightforward money transfer!

Sitting on the dock at Rose Bay

View of Rose Bay

We have been having beautiful weather here; the magnolia trees are in bloom. I am quite excited about that as I haven't seen spring blossoms since early 2011, and it's my favorite time of the year. Last week, Dad and I took a stroll down Newcastle St, through a tiny alley and out onto Rose Bay. The water lapped at the shoreline, boats bobbed on the water as the sun sparkled like diamonds across the surface. The physio at the care home had given me a strap to go behind dad's feet so they wouldn't drop off the foot rests as they usually do. It made all the difference in pushing him. Therefore, made all the difference in my attitude! I didn't have to stop every 10 paces to change his feet on the rests. As a result, it was an pleasant walk. Probably the first time both of us have been settled, and actually got to enjoy each other's company without any stresses hanging over our heads.

My brother and I visited one evening over dinner this past week. We got to sit at a table by ourselves and spread out with magazines, iPhones and newspapers. It reminded me of dinner time at home, to be able to be together. I commented to my brother afterwards that dad was never a big talker anyway. Once again realized that we can just enjoy each other's company without always having to fill it with chatter. (Note to self!) I was reading a design magazine and dad wanted to know what I was reading. I turned the magazine to him to show him. He said out loud, “Jimmy Possum”. It was so strange I turned the magazine around to look at it, and it indeed was an ad for Jimmy Possum furniture. I burst into laughter and he had a smile on his face. It's always nice to see him smile.