Archive for June 4th, 2009

When the sky fell a few  years ago, we never did ask, “Why us?” Actually, we would say, “Why not us?”

Alzheimer’s is a robber and it robs all friends and family members. As difficult as it has been  to deal with and accept our journey, it has also allowed us many, many blessings.

We have a richness of loving family members, terrific friends, wonderful medical/dental people. There are bloggers who are like close friends – we just haven’t met in person -  yet.  I could go on and on. Looking at our life, we also have learned others are in much worse shape.

Also, if a couple has to deal with Alzheimer’s, better Wayne and I who love each other and are patient and kind. I’d sure hate to see it befall a couple who are in distress already. Man, that would be so difficult as one has to be very patient and bite one’s tongue many times a  day.

So when I write about daily happenings, I write to tell the story of our journey. It’s not to make anyone feel badly or anything like that. Could always be worse. All I ask is you hug your spouse a little tighter and love each other a little harder. If life changes it can happen in a minute.

Also, bloggers have mentioned they are more aware if someone in a store is a bit “off” as it could be AD or something else. That in itself is worth the story. Happy Thursday, friends.

PS When I’m able to travel, I’m hopping on my broom and dropping by to meet as many as possible.

Have been sitting here smiling about his “grand exit” yesterday. While rushing,  stepped on his shoe lace.

The furniture definitely was made for bulls in china shops. He just sat down on an end table to tie it again. As I looked around the room, saw that all the furniture was strong. They have many rocker recliners and substantial side chairs. Nothing flimsy there and now I understand:)

I reminded him  to say good bye to his fellow clients – he was bolting for the door. They all were cheery and called him by name. As we were going out the door, one of the aides offered us 2 sandwiches leftover from lunch. I thanked her and she left to retrieve them from the fridge. He lowered his voice and said, “they tried to bribe me with a sandwich earlier.” I’d love to be a fly on the wall during his stay!

He is fixated on airplanes. On our walk, probably 8 or 10 will fly over us, close enough for him to see the carrier name or logo.

On one hand, he rarely remembers that he flew at all. On the other hand he rattles off facts about aircraft or flying. Yesterday, two craft appeared, one bearing  west and the other to the east. He laughed and said he was glad the controllers had it sorted out.

This could have been a quick remembrance of a near disaster (only one I know of) at a large airport in Canada. A controller cleared him for take off too close to the vortex of a jet. As I type this, I still get goosebumps  and can still hear air traffic control call our plane’s ID and  to “bear left immediately”.

After it was sorted out, Wayne looked down the runway and saw the jetliner which would have caused our demise. He explained it to me. Our children would have been maybe 2 and 4 years of age and were with us. I have the picture of my parents at the plane. I think Dad is lifting one of the boys down. If I find it (no digitals then), I’ll scan it and post. No security either. Dad and Mom could walk right up to where we would taxi in.Was that the “good old days”:)