Alzheimers demands so much from the caregiver. Revealing the day to day experiences of caring for a loved one with the disease takes courage. It's living with the non linear stages of grief every single day. The emotional demands are exhausting.
...often, in life: "things" will shatter surface calms / -and then, gradually, if we are patient- and fortunate, pieces fall into place, again / more well-written after-thoughts, with accompanying, and calming, pictures of a cloistered lawn: and denizens, therein [all of which is appreciated]...
I know you’ve already forgiven Bella, but I hope you have forgiven yourself. She couldn’t help it and neither could you.
That is some poem! Eight separate words and some punctuation combined into almost infinite shades of meaning. I read it and immediately went back and read it three more times, each time finding something new. Simply amazing.
Thank you so much for sharing your life struggles with Bella. My wife is suffering from dementia and alternates between telling me I’m a good guy and hating that I exist. Your honest reaction to her destroying the pie allows me to understand my anger with some of the things my wife does is ok. Your writing helps me feel less alone. Again, thanks.
Your lawn care is right up my alley. I never water the lawn. In the spring, the violets and daisies, wild strawberries and butter cups come up in droves. I mow, weed and do edging around our flowerbeds. The Earth know how to take care of itself and I would rather spend the time with my spouse, friends and family.
Thanks for writing so honestly about your days with Bella. Your openness gives me the courage to face my own daily challenges.
Oh, your tale brings back so many memories. One benefit of the disease is that there isn't a long memory. So glad you had a good day. They are precious. Bless you. Thanks for sharing your journey in all it's "glory". It will help other caregivers, I'm sure. Caring for a spouse with Alzheimers is so different from any other caregiving relationship. Take care of yourself.....
Will-
I broke down in tears reading your article. As always, "thank you" so much for sharing.
Jim
One day at a time is an annoying cliche until you live with this awful disease. It destroys our loved ones, but not the love. Keep going. ✌️💕🖖
You had me there with you as you reacted to the pie hitting the floor.
Alzheimer's is exactly the metaphor of a pie destroyed.
And I'm sorry.
Alzheimers demands so much from the caregiver. Revealing the day to day experiences of caring for a loved one with the disease takes courage. It's living with the non linear stages of grief every single day. The emotional demands are exhausting.
Yes, nonlinear. I was thinking today, it's possible to get used to hard things but a lot harder if they're constantly changing
The current political diagnosis is illuminated here too.
Absolutely!
...often, in life: "things" will shatter surface calms / -and then, gradually, if we are patient- and fortunate, pieces fall into place, again / more well-written after-thoughts, with accompanying, and calming, pictures of a cloistered lawn: and denizens, therein [all of which is appreciated]...
I, too, read with tears in my eyes. Beautiful writing, stout courage and perseverance. Thank you.
I know you’ve already forgiven Bella, but I hope you have forgiven yourself. She couldn’t help it and neither could you.
That is some poem! Eight separate words and some punctuation combined into almost infinite shades of meaning. I read it and immediately went back and read it three more times, each time finding something new. Simply amazing.
Isn't it great? Its multiple natures, simultaneous and very different meanings make it go around and around in my mind
My heart breaks for you and Bella and all of you.
We all need to keep our good days and our bad days in perspective, and just celebrate the joy of being together. Thanks for the lesson, Will.
Thank you so much for sharing your life struggles with Bella. My wife is suffering from dementia and alternates between telling me I’m a good guy and hating that I exist. Your honest reaction to her destroying the pie allows me to understand my anger with some of the things my wife does is ok. Your writing helps me feel less alone. Again, thanks.
Hang in there
Your lawn care is right up my alley. I never water the lawn. In the spring, the violets and daisies, wild strawberries and butter cups come up in droves. I mow, weed and do edging around our flowerbeds. The Earth know how to take care of itself and I would rather spend the time with my spouse, friends and family.
Thanks for writing so honestly about your days with Bella. Your openness gives me the courage to face my own daily challenges.
Again, THANK YOU Will for the insight to living with Alzheimers.
Looks like my lawn😅🤣😂
🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Oh, your tale brings back so many memories. One benefit of the disease is that there isn't a long memory. So glad you had a good day. They are precious. Bless you. Thanks for sharing your journey in all it's "glory". It will help other caregivers, I'm sure. Caring for a spouse with Alzheimers is so different from any other caregiving relationship. Take care of yourself.....
Yes, one silver lining is that, however bad the episode, Bella will soon forget it