Remembering Those Who Have left Us
Because of Alzheimer’s
(a #1000Speak post)
My grandmother had such a sweet smile, and my great aunt loved everyone. I am so thankful that they were in my life!
They gave hugs and kisses and brought laughter with their lives.
My cousin, Juanita and my great aunt’s oldest daughter, cared for Aunt Janie in the end. She told me stories of the challenges she faced as her mother deteriorated. I wish could have been of more help to her, but I was in school and then college. She had Hospice and respite care through the local Alzheimer’s Association. They helped her with resources and nurses, connecting her doctors and special services.
Laughter blends with tears, remembering these women who brought such strength and love to our family.
I remember one of the last celebrations we had for my grandmother’s birthday. We gathered in a fellowship hall of a church near her old home. It was a happy time of memories.
Someone had created a memory jar and passed out pink sheets of paper. Our instructions to write down our favorite memories of our grandmother.
One cousin wrote about going to Myrtle Beach and the fun they had. I remember her reading about how my grandmother used to bring her own sheets and Lysol for the hotel beds.
I wrote about fishing on Lake Hartwell in Anderson, SC, with her and the fun we all had at the picnics through the years. I described how she helped me put my worm on the hook. She provided simple joys like a cooler filled with sodas and ham and cheese sandwiches.
I can still smell the fried chicken and taste the mashed potatoes that my Aunt Janie used to make for Sunday dinners at the Wooten house. We would gather after church. Laughter and fun times running with cousins in the backyard.
I remember the softball game we started in the field across the street and the cheers of joy as homeruns were hit.
Alzheimer’s robs memory and takes those precious things away. I hope I never loose these wonderful gifts like my aunt and grandmother did.
Today is an important day where we come together to honor those who are suffering with this dreadful disease and to raise awareness. I hope you will share you stories with us. You can also join my team and donate here.
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I would call it a humane post that brings light of hope in our heart. The courage to fight and makes the moments memorable despite that alzheimer can wreck lives.
What a beautiful tribute to share, Mary. Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease for sure.
it’s awful to lose someone because of Alzheimer, my husband lost his grandma due to this cruel thing
Tina recently posted…The Quote Challenge – Day 1 – All about books
My mother’s mother died when I was 7, so my memories of her are spotty. I remember a woman who was sweet and kind and loved me.
I am the first grandchild on my mother’s side, and there are 6 years between me and my brother, 9 before my first cousin. My memories of my grandmother have a much different flavor than the memories of my cousins. It’s something that has been on my mind often as my grandmother’s health deteriorates. Thank you for sharing your celebrations of your grandmother.
Vanessa D. recently posted…Happy Father’s Day to my Ex’s Girlfriend.
The memory jar is a great idea.
Romi recently posted…Kind and Excellent
The memory jar is a great idea.
Romi recently posted…Kind and Excellent
My grandma somehow lost her memory, but we never brought her to the doctor to see if it’s really Alzheimer’s.
This is a beautiful tribute.
Lux Ganzon recently posted…Dogs Are Family, Not Food
What a sweet post. Alzheimer’s has clouded my grandma’s memory, and it is sad.
Kristi recently posted…Ten Things of Thankful: A Happy Houseful
At my grandma’s 90th birthday, I had all of her great-grandchildren write down memories of Grammy D. It was so sweet to read them all, and it led to everyone sharing favorite stories.
Those stories are how our elders live on. Even when they don’t remember, we do. Long after they pass away, we can share our stories and bring them back to life for just a little while.
Alzheimer’s is a scary, confusing disease.
christine recently posted…A Birthday, a Change of Attitude, and Some Other Things, TToT 105
Lovely story, Mary. I like the whole idea of a memory jar and a longest day…. hmmmm …. gotta think.
Thank you for sharing your memories with us. My mother died of Alzheimer’s Disease exactly two months ago. I live 800 miles away, so I couldn’t be near. She was in a nursing home but my sister was there everyday taking care of her. I decided to go see her the first part of April. Something told me that I’d better go before it’s too late. I wasn’t thinking “because she might die”, I was thinking, “before she forgets who I am.”
Well, she didn’t know who I was. It was so sad, and she was in such bad shape. It was awful to watch her go backwards in time. She would sit with her head down, shaking her head and moaning. So sad. At one point she looked right at me and said, “Do you have memories?” I said yes, and she said, “Are they good ones?” Yes. Then I asked her, “Do you?” but she had already gone back into her own world.
That was a huge insight. She had no memories! Can you imagine that?
On my very last day there (I had been there for 3 weeks with no recognition), my sister said, “Do you remember Jeannie?” Mom said, “I used to.” My sister (Aline) pointed at me, Mom looked at me for a moment, suddenly smiled with recognition! It lasted about 10 seconds, maybe.
A little while later, Aline directed her to me again, Mom looked at me, smiled so wildly, and gave me a real, true, heart-felt, “I love you.” Again, it only lasted a few seconds. It took my breath away.
The MOST awesome part? I have it on video. My few seconds of recognition out of 3 weeks. That was my gift from her.
She died one and a half weeks later, after I’d gone home. You can imagine how glad I am that I went when I did. I never would have forgiven myself had I not gone then.
Thank you for listening. It was nice to share and remember again. I have goosebumps as I write this.
Here is an article I wrote in February 2014 about my Mom and Aline, if you’d care to have a look. I write about animals now, but will never delete that post.
http://www.animalbliss.com/letter-from-a-mother-to-her-daughter/
Peace to you.
Jeanne
Jeanne Melanson recently posted…What is a Sarcastic Fringehead? Can you guess?
I am so sorry. I want to share your story too. I am praying for you.
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