Disease of Old People.

Sweetie, Tweetie, and Balloons. 

I forget that there are those that do not know or understand just what is happening with Sweetie and her Dementia. We play golf with a lady that I've know for years and sometimes she is just an annoying person, asking, to me, dumb question. 

She knows Sweetie has Dementia, but that seems to be like she has a cold, and will get better. I don't think she understands that Dementia is in fact that the brain is dying. It is atrophying. It isn't that she is becoming forgetful, or slow, or cannot find the right words, for those who think that way, They just don't know that this disease is a one-way ticket, and once on the train, you cannot get off until it is over. 

When people hear the words Alzheimer's or Dementia, I believe they don't have any idea of what is happening. Its a disease of old people, it happens late in life, it is the elderly couple walking, or pushing a wheelchair in the mall, its sitting with them, feeding them, because that is all they see. They don't know the heart ache one of them is going through, they don't know how alone they are, just the two of them. Walking, sitting, without words between them, holding a hand that doesn't know why it is being held, Telling their life partner that they love them, and hoping to see that sign, for how fleeting it is, that they are still in there and knows. 

Yesterday was Labor Day, the kick off of the Holiday part of the year. It should of been the day of family, of BBQ, of laughter, of togetherness. It wasn't, and I'm not surprised nothing happened. I planned a day, as if it was just another day, and that is how it went. Just another 24 hours, sun up to sun down. It was good. 

I did do what I mentioned yesterday, I got Sweetie ready for bed about an hour before she went down, and what a change it was. She was able to get upstairs, in right into bed, no muss, no fuss, and down she went. Think I've hit a sweet spot in timing here. 

Sweet spot in timing is anytime I get into the car with My Driver at the wheel. This morning, I can park my cares and woes at the curb, they will be there waiting for me to return and I can pick them up then. For now, it is smiles and miles as we travel down the Road to Dementia Town, Keeping our Shiny Side Up. You too and park your worries on the curb, they will be waiting for your return, in the mean while, make a joyful noise as you travel your Road to Dementia Town, with your Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Love Ya, and God Bless.