Saturday, May 21, 2022
Aging Backwards
Monday, May 9, 2022
Storms
We face storms, don't we?
They come from the heavens with thunder and lightening, but hurricanes and tornadoes also bombard us in life. We call them by different names: financial ruin, divorce, cancer. loss of loved ones, loneliness.
Some of these tempests from the sky are real. Many cause destruction. A few are short-lived and gone, while personal storms can last a lifetime.
We flew to Tulsa this past week. The plane was delayed for five hours due to bad weather. Oklahoma is famous for tornadoes, and these scary things lurked in and about the area.
Once we took off, the pilot told us we would fly above the clouds.
Saying goodbye and celebrating a life well lived is a storm. Although the brutal force of the cloud is short-lived, grief and sadness lasts longer.
Friday, April 29, 2022
Another Blog
I've started a new blog.
I focus on early onset dementia from a mother's perspective.
https://dementiadaybyday.blogspot.com/
Most of the time, children take care of parents who've grown older. Parents who face the challenges of Alzheimer's or Dementia.
Shelley and I are the odd ones out.
When I check into the community where she lives, if the receptionist doesn't know me, she'll ask, "Are you her daughter or her sister?"
The mouth drops open when I say, "I'm her mom."
I go often, and most of the people know me, but there are usually new aides or office personnel to meet. Memory care facilities seem to have a large turnover. Shelley has been in the current facility since 2020, and we are on the third management team.
I'm pleased two of the aides reman. If not for these two people, I might move her.
One of the aides saved her life when she was attacked. You can read about it under the "Dealing with Dementia" tab on this blog. Shelley lights up when this person is nearby. Somewhere, deep in the recesses of her brain, she remembers and appreciates the aide saving her life.
Today was a good day for her. She was up walking the hallways when her dad and I went to see her. She could almost remember things I spoke about.
I don't say, "Do you remember...." I talk about past events or people. When I told her Don (her deceased husband) was in heaven with Jesus having a good time. He was singing, playing the guitar, and laughing.. She responded, "I want to go be with him." I told her she would go there one day, but today, we were going to sing in her room. We then sang her favorite song. "You Are My Sunshine." And yes, she sang the words on key!
A good day.
She told us over and over,
"I love you."
A very good day.
I invite you to follow my new blog.