T.P. Memories

The other day I went to Walmart to purchase T.P. What we call Toilet Paper. As I walked down the aisle, I realized that I had not purchased t.p. in years. Mike was the designated buyer. Mike had severe colitis in the years he was pre-transplant. The doctors said that it was due to the liver disease and he took large doses of Lomotil. The severe diarrhea caused Mike to be very particular when it came to t.p. I remember the first time he came home with a fancy new type of t.p. It was so different and I thought it was gross. But, he needed the t.p. with aloe. That night at Walmart, I called Aimee in a panic. What kind was I supposed to buy? She told me that it was the Charmin with Aloe. I was appalled at the price. I never knew we paid that much for it but felt that I had to get the "right" kind even if he wasn't with me. I related this story to Ryan who told me that his dad brought t.p. with him when he came to visit Ryan. He couldn't use the cheap sand-paper variety that Ryan provided. Ryan said that he started buying the good kind so his dad would be able to use it. When I told Aimee about the cost, she said, "Mom, dad didn't use the cheap kind, he liked the good stuff". She also would buy his "special T.P." when he was coming for a visit.

It's a memory of Mike that causes me to laugh inside every time I open a new roll of the Charmin with Aloe.