Posted 7 months until Christmas, 2023
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor. 13:7
This piece has an important point that is tied to this KFC sign I saw on the way to work today:
Maybe I am the only one that notices such, but I got pretty excited from seeing this. I was so excited about it that I asked ChatGPT to whip up a cover letter that exuded the excitement that I felt at the idea of becoming a new chicken nugget at KFC. Here is what it suggested:
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the position of Chicken Nugget at KFC, as advertised on your sign. With a deep passion for crafting delectable chicken nuggets, along with my commitment to dressing up as a chicken nugget every day, I am confident in my ability to bring a unique and enjoyable experience to both customers and colleagues.
Not only do I have a strong understanding of the art of creating delicious chicken nuggets, but I also embrace the spirit of the role by embodying it fully. I am dedicated to donning a chicken nugget costume each day, adding an element of fun and entertainment to the dining environment.
Furthermore, my attention to detail ensures that the chicken nuggets I create meet the highest quality standards set by KFC. I am meticulous in replicating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and presentation, providing customers with an exceptional culinary experience.
Additionally, my ability to work collaboratively and effectively communicate with team members contributes to a positive and productive work environment. I am confident that my positive attitude and willingness to go above and beyond will foster a cohesive team dynamic.
It is worth mentioning that my dedication extends beyond appearance, as I have been known to emit an aromatic fragrance reminiscent of delicious chicken nuggets. This unique aspect further enhances the immersive experience for customers, creating an atmosphere that truly embodies the spirit of KFC.
Please find attached my resume for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and enthusiasm for the role in an interview. You can reach me at [Phone Number] or [Email Address]. Thank you for considering my application.
I look forward to the possibility of bringing my passion, dedication, and chicken nugget-inspired persona to the KFC team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
OK…I made it add the part about smelling like a nuggie, but the rest was the AI’s idea.
So what in tarnation does this have to do with dementia??? Simple. We need to learn the ability to enter the patient’s world. His or her reality is what is important, not the “real” reality. This is sooooooooooooooooo important, in my humble opinion. If your loved one says something that is wrong, be ok with it, especially the later in the journey down the golden road of nuggieville they have trod. Examples abound, and most of these were actual ones from my mom or another of the Sweet 17:
- Mrs W., who suffered terribly with Lewy Body Dementia (one that can produce many bad symptoms including hallucinations)- “Be very careful…there are snakes in the hallway”
- Me (Hearing someone down the hall screaming “I want to go home!!!”)- “Thank you Mrs. W! I really appreciate the head’s up!” (Then I give her a quick hug…she was a hugger before the disease took her life)
- Note on this example: In her world, there was likely something going on quite stressful down the hall…and snakes represented stressful to her.
Mom- “How are mom and dad doing? I haven’t seen hide nor hair of them in weeks! I hope they are ok!”
Me, knowing both had been gone for years…Grandma with dementia and grandpa from a stroke. “They have never been better, mom. They are really busy, but they will see you before you know it!”
Mom- “Good. If you see them, tell them I love them.“
Me- “Will do. All is good.”
Mom (with a concerned look on her face… pre-Covid)- “I <several sounds that had a cadence like she was frustrated>”
Me- “I am very sorry mom. That seems hard. 🙁 “
Mom- Pats my hand (Translation…”It is hard.“)
The bottom lines, with apologies to my accounting friends whom cringe at the thought of multiple bottom lines:
- We have to be willing to enter their world and BE THE NUGGIE if necessary. They, at some point, cease to be able to differentiate reality from their perception. Perception IS REALITY to them. So answer me this…does it do any good to argue/correct, for example, that my grandparents were as dead as Caesar? Nope. At best she might have accepted it at face value until she forgot 10 minutes later and at worst she would have re-mourned all over again. There is no purpose in debating/fighting/”teaching”. That being said, if they are capable of processing stuff, be careful not to jump the gun. If it is an unimportant issue, you can test the water and say “Are you sure…it may have been <fill in the blank>, but I could be wrong?”
- Allow your loved one to save face and to maintain integrity. Arguing, even if/when you are right, wins nothing.
- Substitute an answer with a hug and a change of topic sometimes. A little huggie goes a long way when you are being the Nuggie.
- Get some respite time. It is hard to not live in reality. It just is. Our brain recoils. It gets tired. Heck, it gets to where it wants sleep, drugs, and any other distraction possible. Fight the temptation to self-medicate. Get help from friends, family, and the Lord, not in that order. 🙂
- All bets are off when it comes to danger. Re-enter reality if danger is present. I probably didn’t need to say that since it is obvious, but when we are in fully-dipped nuggie mode we can lose track long enough to let a bad thing happen. BE THE NUGGIE, but only when it is safe.
- I am a Christian. I don’t hide that a bit. Proverbs 12:22-3 says “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.” The same Bible says we, as believers, are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6, elsewhere too) so we CAN not sin in every circumstance…there is a way out. 1 Cor 10:13 says “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Two important things about this verse: 1. We never have to sin. He will provide another option. However, I personally believe BEING THE NUGGIE isn’t the same as lying for personal gain or to deceive to harm. It is being done with love to NOT harm in the same way as the much more trite “Does this dress make me look fat” topic. We are caring by not hurting with the “truth”. Sin is a heart matter, not a rigid matter. 2. The verse DOES NOT say the dreaded “God will never give you more than you can handle” that actually is never implied in the Bible. In fact, it says in 2 Cor 1:8-9 “ For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” Of course He lets us face things FAR beyond our ability to handle ourselves. Our relationship with Him is far more important than our comfort level while on Earth, given the wonder of heaven that awaits. Here is an article that discusses it more: https://digitalcornbread.com/more-than-you-can-handle/ Rest in the fact that we can’t do it all…that we NEED Him…and that He is always right there for us, using the hardship to refine us and to help us understand Him more. He is Good and He loves us, even when we are Being the Nuggie. Hold Fast…Help is On the Way…
#EndALZ
#KFC
#Nuggies
Update: Mom is doing about the same. There was a big issue over the weekend, but for privacy I will not discuss it here. I will see her again shortly today. I may stand back a bit or wear a mask (we were finally freed from masks as of about 2 weeks ago) because I have a scratchy throat. Probably just allergies, but you never can tell…
Less than a month until my Runnin’ Til I’m Purple 4C4C 4 Corners for a Cure event. I visited Cape Girardeau Monday and filmed a little on Facebook from there. The Day 3 of my fundraiser will take place there on the steps that lead to the Court of Common Pleas building, a really cool old courthouse. Here is the area:
It will be a hot day for sure… and humid right next to the river, but it will be worth it.
Here is the fundraiser link:
https://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=personal&px=14575499&fr_id=16164
A significant challenge is getting a commercial liability insurance policy suitable for this event. It seems to be costly but necessary. The hotels the 3 nights won’t be bad, but the insurance is a stinker…
Some sweet day we won’t have to Be the Nuggie any more. Heaven can’t come soon enough.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Girardeau_Court_of_Common_Pleas
