Posted 7-8-20
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit” –Jeremiah 17:7-8
Mom has had a relatively simple life, by modern standards. As far as I know, mom never owned a passport. The extent of her travel, in her nearly 80 years as of now:
- She went to Hawaii on her honeymoon with my stepdad.
- She went to see my brother and family in a few of the places they have lived stateside (Mississippi, Colorado).
- She joined her good friend Diane as a driving companion on a semi to a few places, pretty much just driving through. She also met Diane in Florida once a long time ago.
- She went to Oklahoma, Arkansas, and a few more neighboring states I expect…but nothing of note…for camping and excursions of varying types.
- ……….and that is pretty much it. I would say she traveled out of the Ozarks no more than what you could count with fingers and maybe one foot if my guess is correct.
Please take a look at the following article from April of 2019. When asked, it is what I consider my favorite article I have completed on our story:
Summary/Cliff’s Notes on mom’s life: She preferred the simple life. On a typical day over the last 10-15 years especially but much of her life, mom would work in the garden, might do a little fishin’, call or be called to/by one of us kids. That was her preference. As we were growing up, she worked outside of the home here and there, but not most of the time. Stepping back farther, spending time farming (working hard) and goofing off (playing hard) in Chesapeake was her preference. I haven’t checked lately, but I am sure there are under 100 people living in the greater Chesapeake metroplex. The town, named commemorating the capture of USS Chesapeake, hasn’t had a post office in generations. It does, however, have the pictured below fish hatchery, home of mom’s favorite tree in the world, a willow tree, that was recently a casualty of a spring storm. She would plant herself near it when possible.
So why do I even bring this up? I mean..this is a blog on dementia….
I really feel like mom is “succeeding” in the nursing home partially because she prefers a simple life. She isn’t simple-minded, or whatever pejorative you can replace that word with and still be politically-correct. She is extremely smart and birthed at least 2 of her 3 kids as extremely smart kids (and I am a solid C+ too. 😉 )
I think slowing things down in life and working with your hands is good for your body and your mind. 1 Thes. 4:10-12 reminds me of this wisdom, saying:
“And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia (and Chesapeake, my addition). Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
There is something to be said for the quiet, simple life. Maybe we all need more of it?
#EndALZ
Update: We had a really nice visit today. She was sleepy, but happy and she had a few cute things to say. I look very forward to getting to come and go freely and to give her a hug when I want to. But for now, this is what we have.
Dad Joke of the Day:
Why do cows have hooves instead of feet?
Because they lactose.
Last thought:
https://www.neurologylive.com/clinical-focus/biogen-submits-bla-for-aducanumab-in-alzheimer-disease
This product has applied for a license as a possible, life-extending treatment. Trials are mixed, but it is very interesting!
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