Times gone by, memories are set loose.

At the Grand Canyon. 

I choose this picture because it was taken on our anniversary. For years I hiked the Canyon and I wanted to share it with her. She is not a hiker by nature and there are paths that go around the rim and she could get some idea of why I enjoyed my hikes there. Dementia showed up and we had to cut our vacation short. We made some great memories for a short while. 

I just love that we did travel as much as we could. We used to make trips to California and stay in a little motel on Beach Blvd, in Huntington Beach. Walk across the street and we were on the beach. Or just down the street a couple of block to Main Street. Turn left and go up the street to shop, eat, or just get lost in the memories of times forgotten. Or we'd turn right and head for the pier, and walk the pier. The path so familiar, yet so new every time we were there. 

The more time changes, the more things stay the same. As we'd walk, there were the fisherman/woman, lining the sides, with their buckets of bait and their caches of fish. When I was a boy and my father would bring me down to the pier, it was, as you would expect, WWII veterans and their sons, spending a leisurely Saturday fishing, more talk then fish. Now the population has changed and the fishermen reflect that change, not the fishing. Kids that wore tee shirts and Kids, have been replaced by the younger generation with tattoos. The more things change.... Fishing will always be the same. 

Sorry about that small side trip, but back to now. We went and saw Sweetie's Neurologist. It was just a get to know you meeting, getting caught up. I told her about this blog, and she said she'd look in to it. I got what we went there for, the letter that Sweetie is no longer able to care for herself, to make any decisions for herself, so I can get a POA validated. So, now the next step is to get the POA active. 

When I told the doc about the success that we have been enjoying using the Hemp Oil and Stress Relief lotion, she was impressed. So was her assistant, you know the one that takes the stats before the doc comes in. The only thing that upset Sweetie was getting her blood pressure done. As the pressure built on her arm, she suddenly jumped and yell "Ouch!" I had to hold her because she had forgotten what was happening. I blame myself, because it is so normal for you and I that there was the strange mental blank spot that blocked me from telling her what was going to happen. We did survive the experience.   

A word about my learned knowledge about sundowners. Learning never quits. With that said, I'm always on the look out for sign of the on set of symptoms. Sometimes it comes in the form of heavy breathing, sometimes in her suddenly talking about the "boys", sometimes just some extra firmness as she holds my had. I've gotten over the idea that there is too much or too many times to give her a dose of Hemp Oil, or put some lotion on her neck. There are period of times that can last as long as 4-5 hours, then there are times, especially in the "sundower's time zone" that once an hour seems to work good. The as needed works well then. 

It's Saturday morning, and Sweetie will be sleeping in, and I'm thinking of what we are going to do today. Our puzzle is almost done, less then 25 pieces to go, showers are in the forecast, so outside activities are not looking good. Maybe some grocery shopping, or just walking around Costco or Walmart. 

This I do know, there will be a sunrise and a sunset. What ever happens in between those times, me and my Driver will be heading down the road to Dementia Town. When I first took on letting my Driver drive, I was pushing that imaginary brake pedal on my side of the car. I've learned to trust His driving skills to the point I can now sit back, buckle up, put on my sunglasses so I don't get blinded as the sun bounces of the hood, because, as you know, we are traveling with our Shinny Side Up. God Bless as you travel your road, and it is OK for you to Keep Your Shinny Side Up. Wow that's bright.