Posted by Our four year old granddaughter came over to visit. Great-Grandma (aka GG) asked, “What’s your name?”
Our grand answered, “Raylene. You know that. I’ve been here lots of times.”
A little later I tried to explain to Raylene that GG has a sickness that makes her mind not remember things.
I said, “GG does not know who I am either even though she lives here. And she doesn’t know she’s home. She’s confused. That must be scary for her to not know things. Jesus wants us to pray for her and show her love and patience.”
“Let’s pray right now,” Raylene says. She bows her head and folds her hands and says, “Dear Jesus, please make GG all better so she will know who I am and so she will be happy. Amen.”
“Well,” I said. “ That is good to pray for GG. But sometimes God says no. Sometimes He doesn’t heal right away so then we can pray for peace for GG and that we would know how to best show her love.”
Raylene looked up at me and said, “But I prayed for McDonald’s and Jesus said yes.”
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'” “ Matthew 19:14 (NKJV)
God's Grace and Life's Challenges 
Aww…so sweet! Faith like a mustard seed!
Yes! I love it!
This touched me so much!! My mother also had dementia. She always remembered me, but sometimes not my sister. It was very hard for her, even as an adult. We both knew that it was Mom’s illness, not her fault, and certainly not my sister’s fault, but it was still hard. And we were adults!!! We prayed for her, and sometimes, the old mom would come out!!! Especially when talking to my dad!!! I miss them everyday!! He died a year after her, the doctor said, of grief. But they never spent a Christmas apart. She died just after Christmas in 2008, he in mid December in 2009.
I understand, Debbie. I wrote this post about my mother-in-law, who lives with us now. But my own mom had Alzheimer’s too, and it was so painful when she’d ask me who I was, though I eventually got used to it. My mother passed on December of 2016 and my dad in April of 2018. I miss them every day too!
It’s precious that your folks never had a Christmas apart. Thank you for your comment and may God bless you!
Oh my goodness, this is absolutely precious. Raylene’s prayer is so incredibly sweet.
One of the highlights of my journey with my own mother is seeing my grand-children become more compassionate as they interact with their GG. As hard as it is to see my momma go through this, the life lessons have been invaluable.
I agree! God teaches us so much through the hard stuff. And I have so much to learn!