Posted on 11/11/2012 12:09:12 AM PST by Yaelle
I wrote this tonight and just need to share it. Maybe some of you have family members with this insidious disease too.
Hello; it's good to see you.
I don't remember why it's good to see you, but it is.
I know I like you, and my eyes crinkle in evident delight that you are here.
Immediately I want to rattle off something witty and topical,
But I don't remember the words right.
So I look for something I can see, and relate it to you.
It's good to see you.
My smile is not like my smile of before. It's full of undivided pleasure.
When you used to come, I'd have a frown right after my quick grin.
The market is down; my team lost; there's a plumbing problem; I've got so much to do.
I'd cut the visit short because I was so busy.
Now, for now, nothing impedes the pleasure I have at just meeting your eyes.
I know I like you.
Later my expression will seem pained. It may be time for you to go.
Stimulation makes me very tired after a while.
I still walk like I did, hale fellow well met.
I know I used to feel important. I still do.
I don't remember why.
I don't remember that I used to juggle so many balls in the air;
I ran a business, took jobs on the side, volunteered, and traveled the world.
Numbers and bills and stocks and payrolls flew in and out of my head all day,
Things it now takes six people a lot of time to do instead.
I used to read trade papers, journals, novels, biographies.
Now I read each piece of mail with equal interest,
Even if it has an envelope that reads, "You may already be a winner."
I love to see my family. I ask questions of my older grandchildren
But they aren't the curious questions I used to ask.
Still, I try to ask a question, even if I don't get the words right.
I want to still tell them I love them
But I can't.
I want them to grow up like me, putting the most important things first.
It didn't always work with their parents but I hope it skips a generation.
But I can't get it right so I just smile at them and try to ask them if they are happy.
I still crouch down and play with my little grandchildren.
Nothing has changed! We connect in a special way
And that is all we need. We laugh. We play. We roll a ball together.
I hope they remember playing with me.
I am so glad you came.
I long to share with you something I thought about recently.
I can't.
I love getting your opinions. I just don't remember on what.
But it's good to see you.
I know I'll be smiling big when I see you next time.
That is so nice. God Bless you!
I lost my Grandfather to the horrible pains of Alzheimer's - I'm looking at his picture on the mantle; holding a crate of raspberries he was so proud of growing in the back yard. I can still hear his voice with that picture as he looks down over my family.
I don't know exactly what to tell you but please remember the good times. Your Dad is always your Dad, please keep talking to him over and over again; I've heard it helps and have no reason to believe otherwise.
Take care of you too, Alzheimer's takes a toll on the whole family so please don't take it all on yourself.
Thanks bud but you showed more spirit in what you did for your Dad. You’re awesome. I’ll say a prayer for you but I’m still mad at Him for not listening to my prayer that Odumbo not win the election..but I’ll slip it in.
You didn’t know who to ping...but I do.
Logan’s Prayer Warriors...one of our own is hurting tonight. Please pray, please read this tribute to her Dad, please take from it if YOU need to.
Yaelle, you know I love you, I’d do anything for you. I wish I could take this hurt from you.
You didn’t know who to ping...but I do.
Logan’s Prayer Warriors...one of our own is hurting tonight. Please pray, please read this tribute to her Dad, please take from it if YOU need to.
Yaelle, you know I love you, I’d do anything for you. I wish I could take this hurt from you.
Whoops
I lost my Mom last year to Alzheimers. I can’t tell you how hard it was. I tried my best to keep her at her home. My sister and I tried several caretakers but Alzheimers is very difficult to take care of. We were lucky to get her into a home where she was cared for till her passing. I honestly believe Alzheimers takes it toll on the family having to deal with the increasing loss. Very emotionally painful.
Love shines on the inside where no one else can see. I believe this with all my heart and soul. The words may be forgotten, but the feeling never is. Somewhere deep, they know.
Years ago I was back in Wisconsin to visit my uncle. He was SO happy to see me, we chatted, we laughed, he asked “questions”, I answered...I thought all was well.
About 10-15 minutes into this, all of a sudden his eyes REALLY lit up and he said, “Nancy! When did YOU get here?? It’s SO nice to see you!!!”...
Without skipping a beat, we kept talking.
Then my Daddy, in the nursing home a couple of years ago, the last time I talked to him. I have NO clue what he said to me as his words were so slurred, but I could *tell* he was laughing.
Yeah, they’re “in there”...deep down, they know.
Yaelle...everyone...hang on to the happy. I know it’s hard.
Everyone else? If you can possibly “babysit” an Alzheimer’s patient for part of a day to relieve the family, please do so. The family needs a reprieve too.
BTTT
He is so blessed to have you.
(((((Yaelle)))))
Alzheimer’s is so much worse for the caregivers. I’m very sorry.
Prayers for your father and for you and your family.
God bless.
That’s good, MM. I like it. I hadn’t thought of that but it sure rings true when I read it.
Yaelle, I see you have a support system here who are or have gone through it with their parent/grandparent. And this place is open 24/7! Hopefully that Diamond V XPC will help your dad.
As someone else said, you have honored your father. And your writing is really good. I think people beyond freerepublic would like to read this.
We lost my grandmother to this awful disease. She couldn’t remember my name, when I asked her who I was but she looked at my 2 year old daughter and she said, “Why you’re her mother!” I still cry when I think about it. Remember the good times.
The more I think about this the more comes to mind. Taking care of a parent with this disease can be...IS...quite overwhelming at times.
Learn to grasp the ‘good’ days (hours, minutes) when they come, because they will be fewer and farther spaced all too soon.
‘Taint easy...and in the future, when you think back and second guess yourself...don't. You are doing the right thing...and for the right reason.
Thank you for that.
Tonite I was working at my dad’s computer. He will be 88 on
Xmas Eve. He was a combat wounded WWII paratrooper.
Mom died a year and a half ago after 64 yrs of wedlock.
My older sister takes care of him.
His computer is in a room where he hangs plaques, career
momentos, and photos like the 24x20 of him, Governor Reagan,
and three other men he can’t recall the names of in the Gov’s
office. As Pop walked by me he asked if I had known he holds
a PhD in vocational agriculture education? I said “ Sure Dad,
your diploma is hanging right there.” He replied “I saw that
this morning but I didn’t know.”
I couldn’t help but shed a tear as I read your message
God Bless your father and you.
My prayers are with you.
My prayers are with you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.