I was wondering what our life was like this time last year. Thanks to this blog I can look back and read what was happening.
Summer of 2009
Here's the post from August 2, 2011
David
was in a sad/mad mood. I had the brilliant (dumb)
idea......'lets go to Olive Garden, we haven't been in awhile.'
We're
seated and he immediately says he freezing cold and there's too much
noise. He announces with red face and anger, that he's not eating or
drinking anything because this restaurant has changed.
I
ask our waitress to make our order to go ... and we drove back to
Seguin. At home ... he ate his meal and thanked me for doing such a
good job.
Me thinking: "going out to eat may be a thing of the past."
(and it was)
I
was feeling sad and discouraged.....I go to the mailbox and find a
sweet handwritten card from a friend from church. Her words lifted my
spirits and made me smile.
My best friend calls to check and see how we're doing. Through tears I'm smiling again and thanking God for friends.
David's birthday 2010
That was last year, here we are today 2012.
The patients at AlzCare are weighed once a month. They weighed David today; he's lost 46 pounds in 10 months.....sigh.......
The patients at AlzCare are weighed once a month. They weighed David today; he's lost 46 pounds in 10 months.....sigh.......
Two sweet friends went to visit David on Saturday. He was awake and clapping his hands to the music. I haven't seen him clap both hands together in months; this was a weekend blessing for me.
Two of our pastors went to visit David this week. He was awake and they sang Amazing Grace to him.... another blessing.
GOD is GOOD!.
GOD is GOOD!.
June of this year (2012)
30 comments:
I can't say anything after looking at the beautiful sad and far away blue eyes of David's sweet lady, I'm just crying right now..along with you. All my love. Maybe I'll come back later on. Have a blessed weekend.
FABBY
Thanking GOD that he is giving you these little blessings. That was wonderful to read David was clapping his hands to the music.
May GOD bless you each day.
I like to believe that when they seem 'far away' that they are just looking through the veil at all of God's wonderous things to come.Prayers for peace now and in his transition for your David.
I feel inadequate... I cannot even write. I just feel so lost for you and yet rejoice that there are still moments when David feels the peace that this world has offered him through music and friends. I am thinking of you and thankful for your faith and friends!
Oh...my heart just aches for you, Sweetie! Still in my prayers...everyday. I am sad but feel better when I know you have wonderful family and friends. This sure has been a long time.
I remember how well you handled the eating out. I might not have been able to think of what to do. Such a graceful way of handling the situation.
David still has some surprises for you yet...clapping again and enjoying Amazing Grace.
The weight loss is all part of the process, yet so hard on all of you, I am sure.
Much love...
Friends are a blessing when our lives are troubled, and I am sure thankful that you and David have many. It says a lot about you guys and how much you mean to everyone.
You're a sweetey!
Debbie
I am so sad that you both are going through this horrible disease. It breaks my heart to see this happening. That sounds like alot of weight. God bless you. I heard last night at a meeting: LIFE stands for "live In Faith Everyday" Don't you just LOVE that!!!??? XO, Pinky
You did so great with the eating out. But that last picture of his sadness must ring your heart out - as it does mine. I am so sorry. sandie
David is living in two worlds right now. One, where so many people love him to the end, and another, where he sees the people he will rejoin in Heaven. He is blessed, but I feel so bad for you, Karen, Jeff, and all the grandchildren. Such endurance it takes, in the midst of fear and grief. I wish there was something that someone could do, but each of you are the heroes in each other's lives. The rest of us just care a really lot....
A blog is such a good idea, isn't? I remember the Olive Garden story. When I read yours I see how you take one day or one week at a time and find something to be thankful for.
You are inspiring and yet I know it is hard for you.
Hugs and prayers,
Carol
I remember that post! My, has it been that long already?
My dear friend, please know I'm always thinking of you, even if I'm MIA sometimes. I'm starting to feel normal again...slowly.
I'm glad David still appears once in a while. You are blessed with wonderful friends.
love,
barbara
so happy you are able to have such a good attitude about it all...sure you are sad...but you always look at the positive side...I like that about you...
I'm not ready to go back and read old posts yet.
I always check your blog to see where David is. 10 months, 46 lbs, you've probably cried 46 lbs in tears. It gets so hard to count your blessings sometimes.
Dear Delores,
I'm sorry. I understand, and I pray for continued blessings with David. Stay strong, my friend.
Kathy
Dolores,
Your journal has saved me so many times. I remember this post and I can so relate. This has been a long and difficult road for you, but I feel that you have become so strong and faithful in this journey. You are a blessing, and I pray that God's grace bless you.
I read in one of the thousands of books I seem to have read about Dementia that this is a disease for the caregiver. A tightrope walk balancing grief and stress.
You are my hero. Have a beautiful weekend.
Karen
The picture of his eyes..the eyes reveal so much. Lost and forlorn, that is how his eyes look. Yet there are little joys even in the midst of this terrible Alzheimers to cause your heart to lift a little.Good news about David clapping his hands.
One day David will be in Heaven , clapping his hands in joy as he praises Jesus.Remembering everything.I pray for you and David.
I remember the Olive Garden post and all the happy posts of David clapping his hands to the music...all part of this wonderous thing called life. Memories you will hold close to your heart as time goes by. think of you daily...xo
Time marches on and drags us behind it through the sunshine of most days, through the mud of pain and despair.... yet we will finish that march victorious. What a promise we have to look forward to. I pray that God is holding David and you in His tender hands as you march through this journey.
Oh, Dolores....my heart aches for you. It is a blessing that those suffering the disease have no way of knowing the pain we on the outside endure. I guess that's one of God's blessings to those of us who love these beloved victims. I know this is so so hard. Stay close to the Lord. He will help you cope. And stay closely connected to your friends and family, sweet lady. You are in my daily prayers. xoxoxoxoxo
I'm so grateful for those little blessings. In the end they turn into BIG ONES!
Love to you friend~oxRebecca
Dearest Dolores, You beat me, I was going to visit you tonight but you visited me first. You know I remember that trip to the Olive Garden, wow! times does go by so fast, can't believe it's been a year. This blog is probably the best thing you could of done, what a difference a year makes. He still has those beautiful blue eyes although he has a sad look. God is good and He is with you both every step of the way. Prayers, Lu
Just found your blog, sad that you are in this situation and glad that someone has the feelings that I am experiencing. I understand those little blessings! It is indeed a blessing when Daddy tells me that he loves me, and I thank God when it happens!!!! This is a difficult journey that we are forced to take, those blessings make it somewhat bearable. Sadly I relate to so much of what you have written, I wish that no one else would have to go through this!!!
Following you now,
I love you dear across the miles friend. I was touched what you wrote here. I did cry.I will be honest .
I was happy that you had some good moments and you did well with the restaurant . A very smart lady of dealing wiht the situation..
How nice for you for the letter in your mailbox from a friend to put some smiles on again. God is so good when it comes to needs of friends.
Thanks for sharing always.
Oh sweetie, you have such a beautiful family and those grands are so precious! Such pretty girl next to your beautiful daughter...a family of Lises..what do I want!! My hubby always says that pictures are the best way to remember good and loving times with our dearest ones, he likes them better than filming. Have a blessed week my friend.
FABBY
I had a few minutes before I go out and signed on just to see how you were doing. I've had company and fell behind. Last summer David still looked alert. What a difference a year can make. I'm glad he has good caretakers. That has to be a big relief for you. I think of you often and keep you and your family in my prayers.
Oh Babydoll...Of All the photos, I love the last one...the most.
Loving You Today!!!
(((HUG)))
Dolores, this is just what I've been doing lately, thinking about last year, last month, or even last week at this point. I only have a few months of posts to go back to, but it's special to look back. The pictures as always are so touching.....especially the last one. Those beautiful blue eyes capture it all. Praying for you and David! Thinking of you often. Hugs to you!
Dolores, this is just what I've been doing lately, thinking about last year, last month, or even last week at this point. I only have a few months of posts to go back to, but it's special to look back. The pictures as always are so touching.....especially the last one. Those beautiful blue eyes capture it all. Praying for you and David! Thinking of you often. Hugs to you!
Delores, do you take Casey to see David anymore? If so, does David respond to Casey?
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