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(A
Story about Alzheimer's Disease)
I
flew
out
for
a visit
to
see
her once
more,
But appeared
just
a
stranger
standing
at
her
door.
She
knew
not
my
name
nor acknowledged
my
face,
But
eagerly
accepted
my
presence
and
my
tender
embrace.
As
I
gently
reached
out
and
offered
my
anticipating
hand,
The
smile
upon
her
face
began
to
slowly
expand.
She
tenderly
patted
my
arm
and
it
was
obvious
to
see,
That
she
was
glad
I
was
there
and she was
happy
to
see
me.
While
still
holding
her
hand
I
sat
down
on
the chair.
We
conversed
for
a
while
in
the
warm
summer
air.
She
talked
about
her
family
and
the
home
that
they
share,
And
that
her
father
and
mother
were both still
living
there.
As
I
listened
to
her
stories
my
mind
began
to
whirl,
For
she
really
believed
and
thought
she
was
still
that
little
girl.
Somewhere
deep
within
her
mind
her
memories
were
misplaced,
Or
perhaps
lost
and
forgotten
without
even
a
trace.
Was
my
existence
forever
gone
not
even
a
tiny
mark?
Or
do
I
still
reside
somewhere
deep
within
her
heart?
Then
I
remembered
some
wisdom
I
had
heard some time ago,
That
the
eyes
are
open
windows
looking deep into
the
soul.
So
I
gently
placed
my
hand
upon
the
side
of
her
face,
Looked
deep
into
her
eyes,
so
very
full
of
grace.
There
I
saw
a
reflection
.
.
.
the
very
reflection
of
me,
And
knew
that
I
was
there
for
all
of
eternity.
I
no
longer
felt a
stranger
and
when
it
was
time to
go,
I
put
my
arms
around
her
and
said,
"Mom,
I
love
you
so"
She
slowly
looked
into
my
eyes,
softly
said,
"I
know
you
do"
"And
please
remember this .
.
.
I
will
always
love
you
too"
~
StinaLisa
~
©Copyright 1999
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Me and my Mom |
Alzheimer's
is
a
terrible
thieving
disease.
It
not
only
robs
you
of
the
ability
to
take
care
of
yourself,
it
also
robs
you
of
your
dignity,
your personality and most
of
all,
your
memories
and
everything
you
hold
dear.
Alzheimer's
also
affects
your
family
and
loved
ones.
Today my
sister, my brothers
and I, as well as other
members
of
our
family,
are
watching
Alzheimer's
slowly
take
our Mother and Grandmother
into
another
realm, some
other
world,
this
side
of
heaven.
She
does
not
know
any
of
us,
has
no
will
to
live,
and
prays
every
day
that
she die.
It
is
very
painful
to
watch
her
mentally
suffer
this
way.
In
the
end,
even
though
she
does
not
recognize
us
or
know
who
we
are,
I
believe
there
is
that
one
small
part
of
her, perhaps
that
very
small
reflection
that
we
see
as
we
look
into
her
eyes through
the
windows
to
her
soul, that
tells
us
she
is
still
there,
that
her
love
for
us
is
still there. In
looking
back
at
us, I
believe
she
can
see
us
too; she
knows
us and
her
soul
lets
her
know
that
our
love
for
her
will
always
be
there.
Update
This page was originally made in 1999. On December 28, 2002,
about three years later, my Mom
died peacefully at the age of 94
years. On my last visit before
she died, we took her into the main
visiting area for a cup of
coffee. She always loved her cup
of coffee, and did until the end.
By this time she spoke very little, and usually did not respond to
anything that was said to her. For a long time she was always saying that
she wanted to die, and I always responded by saying it was okay if she wanted to
go "home". On this last visit, she again told me that she wanted
to die, and I said, "Mom, if you want to go home to be with your mother and
father and your sister Lillian, it is okay".
She looked at me for a second, and then asked, "Do you care if
I go home"? Her response startled me for a moment when I
realized she was fully aware of what I had said. I didn't quite know how
to answer her question, but finally said, "Mom, I do care very much and I
would like you to stay here with me, but if you want to go home, it is
okay". She immediately replied, "Will you miss me?"
Again I was startled when I realized we were carrying on a 2-way conversation,
and I told her, "Yes Mom, I love you and will miss you very
much". With that, she picked up her coffee cup and the conversation
ended.
This was the last time I saw her alive. When my sister called
in December of 2002 and said Mom had only a short time left, I made arrangements
to fly back to South Dakota. By the time the arrangements were made, she
had died.
My sister and niece were with her when she died. She had gone
into a sort of coma, and was
unresponsive. My sister told me
later that at one point she had told
Mom that I was coming home and would
be there soon. At that, Mom
opened her eyes, looked at my sister,
and then closed her eyes and
died. I think she needed to know
that I would be there.
There hasn't been a day gone since my Mom died that I haven't
thought of her. She was a brave
lady, and fought hard through her last
years of life with this terrible
disease. My only regret is that
I wasn't more educated in her
beginning stages of this
disease. She was living with me
at the time, and I know if I had known
what was going on with her, I could
have helped her through it. It
is so important to learn more about
Alzheimer's disease . . . if only to
help someone else who is suffering
from this disease.
~ StinaLisa ~
Listed below are some links where you can gain knowledge and get
help
Alzheimer's Association
Please visit "Lost
Inside Alzheimers"
A heartwarming poem written by
Teresa Wilson.
While you are there, click to her Index
for more of her beautiful and touching words.
"Family and Friends Index"
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"Turn
Around"
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"You
Are Not Alone"
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If you have the time, stop by my home on the web,
have a cup of coffee,
and see a list of my other web pages.
Please sign my Guestbook so I know
you've stopped by.
Thanks!
~ StinaLisa ~
 
"Precious Memories"
Recorded by Dolly Parton
Precious memories, unseen
angels
Sent from somewhere to my soul
How they linger, ever near me
And the sacred scenes unfold
Precious father, loving mother
Fly across the lonely years
And old, old home scenes of my
childhood
In fond memory appears
Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious memories, how they
linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
The music playing is a condensed version of
"Precious Memories", and is for entertainment, educational
and evaluation purposes only. Titles have full copyright by their respective artists
and record companies. Please show your support for the artists who gave us this great
music by purchasing their CDs.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of
"Precious Memories"
by Dolly Parton, I have provided a link below to Amazon.com.
They sell both new and used CDs. I have purchased many used CDs
for my web pages and have never had a problem.
Amazon also sells MP3 downloads in several categories with single songs ranging from 89 to 99 cents.
Thank you.
October
1999
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