Posted 1/30/19
Just a reminder from the Sweet 17. Everyone has a story. I spoke to Mrs. W today a tad at supper. She is not very verbal anymore and has a severe muscular issue that sternly supplements her Alzheimer’s condition ( 🙁 ). I smiled at her as I am wont to do and she smiled back and told me slowly “I depend on God ever day”. I told this sweet soul that I did as well. She then told me… beckoned me… to pray for her son. She seemed to care more about his lot than her own. No specifics were spoken, or perhaps even remembered…but the profound importance to her was obvious. Such is a momma’s heart. I had never really heard her speak much beyond singing in a hush tone to mom’s piano. I pat her on the back and smile a lot to her, but the fact that she cared so much about her son to ask me to pray for him spoke of her sense of urgency. She…and we indeed depend on the Lord every day. He knows what His children need anyway, so I will pray generically for this man per her request and let the Savior fill in the details.
Mom was in a great mood today. 🙂 Really another great day. 🙂 All of the checklist looked good. No falls, took her meds, was quite funny at times, and played the piano better than she had in quite a while. My videos today are funny with a pinch or two of tragic. (Not unlike my appearance…but I digress). You can hear and see what I mean about mom speaking clearly, in her mind, but the finished product may or may not go as planned. Once you learn the cadence, you can work through the conversation. I also, when in doubt, repeat the last word or two back to her showing I want to understand. She is quite satisfied most often. It is also useful to match face gestures and moods with her in conversation. If she seems sad, I empathize. I wish, for all I am worth, that I could speak her language better, or, preferably, talk to her like I could 10 years ago. This is the challenge of having a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Mourning twice, dying once…
#EndALZ