Posted by I tried to talk to Mama as I fed her the Easter dinner I’d brought over. But she’d mostly either holler or speak gibberish.
It reminded me of the time we’d just had with my six-month old granddaughter. She seemed to have whole conversations with my husband as she stood in his lap and very expressively spoke garbled words.
And Mama would do that, too. She’d look at me and speak. Often I could tell she was asking questions, but I couldn’t decipher enough of the words to guess at what she meant.
Except for a few exceptions. “I hate you!” still came out clearly. I answered Mama, “But I love you. Do you love me?”
“No,” she answered.
And yet we had a couple sweet moments. My daughter and husband came over to help me get Mom up from her nap, because her walking is so bad these days. My daughter and I changed her and got her in a fresh dress. Then my husband came in and helped us get her into the wheel chair.
As I was rolling her out of the bedroom Mama said, “Thank you.” Which is pretty much unheard of these days.
I was so pleased and said, “Mom, that’s so nice that you said thank you!”
“Yes, it is,” Mama answered. And I chuckled.
And then later, as I was cleaning up the dishes, after Mama’s meal, she said, “Be happy. Be happy.”
And that made me smile.
Alzheimer’s is such a tough road. There is so much to be burdened and sad and stressed about.
But today I can rejoice that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and because of that all who believe can be forgiven and have a relationship with God and eternity with Him in heaven.
And today I can take joy in the time I had with my children and granddaughter. And I can smile because Mama said thank you.
Today I can be happy, because my mama told me to be. And those sweet words bring tears to my eyes. Happy tears.
I hope you have some today, too.
He is risen!
God's Grace and Life's Challenges 
Yes – He is risen indeed! And His resurrection is what gives us hope in the midst of dealing with this disease! Hallelujah!
Amen! Hallelujah! Thank you, JB! ~Cheryl
I’ve been reading your messages lately and they are very helpful to me. A friend at church sent them to me and I am so happy that she did. I really do not know a blog from a frog as far as messaging goes, but that doesn’t matter as long as I get to read what you are sharing about dealing with your mother’s disease.
My wife has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and I am in the process of learning to live with the changes in our lives that brings with it. I am most sad about not being able to sit and discuss, dream, plan together for our future. I have to take charge and I am not a take charge kind of guy. My wife is only 68 and I feel cheated out of our future together, even knowing as I write, that its not true. Our future is in Christ and it is glorious.
He is risen indeed!
Ken B.
Ken, I’m so thankful to hear that what I’m sharing is helpful to you. It helps me to write and process things, but hearing that it helps other people too, so blesses my heart!
I’m so sorry about your wife though. My mom was starting to show symptoms of Alzheimer’s about the same age your wife is now, though we didn’t get an official diagnosis until mom was 75, because she wouldn’t agree to go to the neurologist. It’s such a difficult journey, and my heart goes out to you. But there are still sweet moments and memories to make, too. And you are so right, because of Jesus the best is yet to come!
Cheryl