Posted 12/10/18
To-day the letter combination/word/sound “TO” came to mind as I left from visiting mom. She was a bundle of hyperactivity and confusion today, but had some better moments too. She is still sweet for the most part, which brings me joy. 🙂
Ok…to????
What is this kook up to?
I am a hypocritical Grammar Nerd. I tend to point out the grammar speck in my
brother’s eye while ignoring the grammar plank in my own eye. (Sort of like
Matthew 7:5…lol).That confessed, let’s talk about the multi-colored concept
of the many forms of “to”.
What a weird language we have in English (see my mug picture). In “To” we have:
To=Toe. Mom has had assorted feet and toe problems, like most seniors do, but Alzheimer’s patients can have issues explaining what hurts. Mom had a corn that was really hurting her foot, but the way she “told us” or at least the way we discovered this tootsie issue was shoe changing obsession. I forgot to check to see of it has been addressed yet today, but she is on the foot list. Foot and toe pain sucks, especially if you can’t tell someone you need help. Check your loved one’s feet in the nursing home or at home if they can’t themselves. If you are mobile, schedule a visit at your local senior center’s foot clinic. Senioragemo.org for the closest one if you live in southern Missouri.
To= Two. This number reminds me that the brain is splits up the middle in latitudes. The left side, according to a long-time theory, controls the right side of the body and logic-related topics like math and science. On the flipside is the right side, controlling our left body parts and the artsy fartsy realm of our activities. Today Buffalo Mary, one of my many favs of the Sweet 17, asked a few times why she was there and which room was her’s…then, amazingly to many not named Mark Applegate, this sweetheart sang all of the words to a couple of mom’s piano hymns/songs. Oh, the power of music and the many ways God uses it!
To= Too… aka Also. I hate the symptoms and results of Alzheimer’s and all of the dementia family too also….like most of you. (Extra word added for effect…or is it affect?). I would love it if this stinking disease was cured, but I also know we have to submit to God and His plan knowing He feels our pain and loves us perfectly even in crap circumstances.
To=Terrible Twos. I realize some find it condescending and/or practically hate speech, but Alzheimer’s patients, to me, have a lot in common with toddlers and two-year-old kiddos. I have posted about several ways they are similar: wobbly walking, odd communication methods, constant attention requirements (and Lord help you if there are long quiet times with them out of sight), eating and/or drinking no-nos, etc…. There are of course many differences from this demographic such as the whole memory thing is non-existent, the fact that discipline is essentially worthless, and they are adults and deserve to be treated as such in their care…to name a few examples.
To=To. Direction word. The preposition. Mom is always looking to go to somewhere. She walks the bridge to nowhere hourly, then walks back again. I hate that life is so simple that there really isn’t a “to” direction for the ladies, but isn’t that a mistake? All day long today. All week, month, and yearlong all I do is go “to”. Life without a defined “to” does have some merit unless you get nervous if you don’t arrive, like mom tends “to”.
Lastly, Toto. “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”. This encompasses the feelings I have had starting about a week or two ago. Pam noticed it too… Mom has declined rapidly over the last 14 months, but the last couple weeks have been a worse trajectory. Her brain and her emotions are in full tornado mode oftentimes when I come. She says the strangest things. She does weird things with her food (re: toddler). She is more glazed, then wild-eyed. I have also seen similar changes in several if the Sweet 17, but it is more pronounced in mom these last couple weeks. Stinking disease. 🙁
Thank you for spending two hours reading to the end.
#EndALZ