David was an avid reader. Unfortunately, he can't read anymore. He would read for hours each day.
He also loved watching shows on TV, like CSI, Grey's Anatomy, Fox news, football and basketball games. He no longer understands the stories or the games.
Last Saturday I was trying to find something on TV that might interest David. Cartoons were on .... I paused on that channel, and he started laughing and repeating the lines.
I have the nick channel on right now and he's laughing.... such a nice sound to my ears....(the laughter not the cartoons). I'm so thankful we've discovered cartoons.
David loved gardening and working in the yard. Those are a thing of the past, but thankfully he can still sweep our patio. Sweeping gives him a feeling of accomplishment and something to do.
His faithful companions are always by his side....making him happy.
His faithful companions are always by his side....making him happy.
He tried using the Swiffer in the house, but it was too confusing for him.
David's always loved music. He'll sit and listen to our easy listening channel or the I-Pod for long periods of time, sometimes with tears rolling down his cheeks. He remembers the words to so many songs and sings them from memory/heart.
Before going to bed, I usually put on a musical video like the Gaither's. The music is familiar, uplifting and happy.
For now......... our nights are much better. I started giving David one Tylenol PM at night, and he's sleeping better.
Thanking God for family, friends, flowers, music, animals, cartoons and.....(I need to add computers)
For now......... our nights are much better. I started giving David one Tylenol PM at night, and he's sleeping better.
Thanking God for family, friends, flowers, music, animals, cartoons and.....(I need to add computers)
and
LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME.
LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME.
26 comments:
I just wanted to let you know that I follow your blog in my reader and am always encouraged by your willingness to thank and praise God in the face of the unknown. You are not alone. You have God, your wonderful family and friends, and many (I'm sure!) unknown friends online who pray for you and David. Thanking God for His many good and kind gifts, ~~Rhonda
Sometimes I leave here with a tear glistening. Seeing David in my mind's eye singing the old songs by heart (much better than by memory anyway) is doing it to me this time. We love the Gaither programs around here. My mother had many of the tapes and so I've inherited quite a few. Saying a little prayer for you both believing that God has many blessings in store for each and every day.
Oh sweets...you are such a dear person. You make me smile and I carry HOPE in my heart for you and David.
My hubby's father is going to be placed in a Nursing Home very soon. He has ALZ, but unlike my daddy (who is also physical ill), has violent tendencies. We will be traveling to Nebraska soon to help her and I'm already travailing over the trip. And so...I pray. I pray for everyone involved in making this tough decision and for SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE OUT THERE to find a cure for(or at least stop it from progressing)this terrible mind-robbing, 'Monster-in-the-Brain' disease.
Bless you...I can watch the Gaither Programs ANY TIME!
xoRebecca
Oh Delores! Your flowers are so Pretty!! I really need to get busy with mine...
SO glad you found cartoons for David! IF I have to watchem' with my little William (secretly...I LOVE SpongeBob...Hahaaa) then it's only fitting you get to watch them as well!Hahaaa....They make me laugh as well!
SO happy David likes them!
Sweet night to you both!
hughugs
You bring beauty and music and fun to your home! David sure picked the best wife and Dolores is with him for better or worse. But really, she makes the worse better! Here's to Tylenol PM and cartoons!
Hugs,
Carol
As I dotted the i on my last post, you came to mind. I thought, I wonder if Dolores will stop by. Then I clicked on comments and there you were. It's funny how the Lord connects people through his lovely thread. I was talking to a woman yesterday who said that she does work with Alzheimer patients and says that the aroma of herbs is wonderful for them. I know that there is lots on the subject of aromatherapy, I wonder if there is something that would help David sleep. You are a delight to me, and I love coming here. Wish I lived closer so that we could enjoy a cup of tea.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Karen
I have so rarely seen/heard you negative. Thanks for the positive vibes you give. It makes a difference for me. hugs
Your place looks beautiful. David does such a good job of making it look nice. All of us need to count our blessings.
Dolores, your posts about your beloved David are always so warm and loving, but this one is particularly special. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.
I love the honesty in your posts...so happy you are finding things to make you and your hubby happy...my FIL seems to enjoy cartoons and shows from the 70's he can follow them...and westerns as long as there is shooting he is happy...he has a hard time following other movies or show...
your flowers are beautiful..
You are suich a dedicated wife, Dolores. David is ver lucky. I am glad you found a new interest for him. Your potted plants are gorgeous!...Christine
It is so wonderful that you have been able to come up with things for him to do. Cartoons....wonderful! I bet it just thrills you to hear him laugh!
Cartoons,fifties music,The Lucy Show - all the nostalgia that resonates with most of us. My friend's father found great comfort in Children's books. We read them together and he loved the pictures and simple text. He especially loved those that he had read to my cousins when they were small.The rhymes came back to him and put a twinkle in his eye. God bless Dolores and David.
One of my favorite memories is of Mother trying to talk along with the dialogue on TV. I wrote a poem about it and it remains one of my favorites. Keep writing, keep blogging .. this is your journey and needs to be documented for all the generations to come.
HI DAVID! It's Helen in Bend Oregon wishing you a good day.
Well I think that is marvy, I too like cartoons... What is his fav? I love Foghorn Leghorn, a rooster with a southern drawl after my own heart.
I love your patio, so peaceful and loaded with the lords beauty.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
HI Delores, I am so happy to see this post, and to know that you have found CARTOONS that make David happy! We never thought of that with my FIL. He, too, loved music, watching sports on TV, gardening. I continue to pray for you and David. I was VERY busy today, decorating my kitchen and dining room for Easter. I will post on them in a short time so p[lease stop back. It lifts my heart that you can be so thankful for all the little things. You take such wonderful care of David, it is an inspiration. God bless. XO, Pinky
Hi sweetie, I so know what you mean about the cartoons. Mr. P was also an avid reader and no longer reads a book. He reads the paper about a dozen times, I'm not sure he understands what he read, he's content in doing so and that's all that matters. He's quite fond of Bonanza now and doesn't move from his chair for the 3 hours that it's on. He's so child like at times now, easy to be around. I'm sorry for his children that they don't come more often. My grandson will soon be 11 and he calls nightly to see how his Papa and his Grandma are.... I'm not sure what we'd do without the grace of that little guy. He makes our hearts sing.. I'm so glad to hear David is sleeping better now. Mr. P has been on medication for a while for it and I've had to increase it. I've noticed the last few weeks how weak he is, but attitude is good. I'm hoping with the warmer weather finally gracing our door he'll feel up to walking his beloved cocker spaniel.
It's been like forever since I've painted upstairs and thought now would be a good time to start that project. I was a bit leary about doing so, I move so fast and I know that makes me nervous, so far he's getting a kick out of the change and loves the color. Girl that is a milestone in itself. lol
Well, I believe I've written a small book here. It's about time for me to wrap things up in the shop and head upstaris where the painting will continue this evening. I pray for a good weekend for you and David. hugs ~lynne~
I so agree with what Carol said.....you bring beauty, music, and fun to your home!!! How I admire you for always trying to make your home a happy, pretty, and a healthy "experience"!! I sound like a broken record again....but you're influencing us all to "create" our own happiness by finding the small things in life that really matter!!
Love the beautiful flowers!
Love you! Laura
Your flowers all look so beautiful and that photo of the pool looks so tranquil.
It has to be sad to see the things that David can't do anymore that he once loved. But, you sure do a remarkable job of staying positive and finding new things for him to enjoy.
Hugs,
Kim
Sweetie, everyone should live one day at a time as we never, ever know for sure what the next day brings! I love to hear about things that make your hubby happy and I think those doggies put a smile in his face, I can see it in the photos. You're a very strong and special lady and God's always watching out for you. Thank you for your sweet and lovely visit. Have a nice Sunday.
FABBY
Oh how I love reading posts like this from you. I think my grandchildren would love sitting with David as he enjoys NICK, their favorite t.v. cartoons are on there. ( excluding sponge bob)You truly are blessed Dolores.
God Bless you and David as you make this journey through life. I am so glad you are thanking God for his presence in your lives.
Hugs and Prayers.
Miss D...just had to pop back over and tell you the latest. Sad but VERY funny!
I took my Momma to dinner last night since my Mr. AGPMan is out of town so it was just the two of us for a change. We chatted and chatted and then she said...
"Honey~wait until I tell you what your daddy said to me today!"
She began to laugh a little bit and I thought at first how strange that was because everything SEEMS to be so serious these days (ALZ certainly doesn't make any of us laugh much...)
Anyway~after talking with my father and asking him how he was doing they exchanged a few simple pleasantries when all of a sudden he said to my mom...
"Dear...are you doing OK today?"
she said "Yes! I'm great! Why?"
then he said "Well...I'm worried about you! You look REALLY OLD TODAY! Much older than 45!!!"
I almost fell over in shock. My mom is almost 80 so there are definitely some missing years in my daddy's memory.
Still...we laughed and laughed and it was good to see her lighten up a tiny bit! I just may have to blog about this...:)
God brings to us JOY and GIGGLES in the most unexpected ways. Joy wrapped in some sorrow, but JOY none-the-less.
Love to you~
Rebecca
I am SO glad to hear that your nights are better. It broke my heart when I read how difficult your nights had become. Did you ever read ONE THOUSAND GIFTS? Your post reminds me of the premise of the book.
Your beginning comments about David being an avid reader dispelled my secret hope that possibly reading would prevent Alzheimer's. :(
Such a heartwarming post! And the flowers are BEAUTIFUL!
xoxokara
So glad that he enjoys the music and cartoons. We have the Country Music Channel on a lot here. Mom used to listen to country all the time. So I figure she enjoys it now. Your spring flowers are so pretty.
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