326 days in a row.

Putting her touch on the retaining wall.

Sweetie was never shy about showing her faith. We had put a retaining wall around our front yard. I was tired of the water running off and into the street. We were doing some home improvement stuff, when she found some paint and painted a cross on the wall. Simple, not blaring, just something that people would see and know who lives here. 

Stuck, the old gray matter just cannot think of something to say today. Its like that. I've written now for 326 days in a row. My biggest fear, it saying the same thing over and over again. What I don't want to become is a merry-go-round of ideas and sayings. I try to speak from my heart and share with you, my friends, how this slow trudging down the Road to Dementia Town is like. 

We are one big family, locked together is this life story. It can be like fingernails on a black board, and then there are the bright times when a moment of clarity happen, and we see our love ones for just a moment, and then gone. 

I worry about those days when I can't get Sweetie up, when she tries and falls right back into her pillow. Those morning when she is so confused and doesn't know me and I have to talk softly and get her over the fear of me. I have to build trust back into her each and every day. These are the days when I am so glad that I wrote my promises to her. I can point to them, read them to her, and as I say each line, I'll stop and point to myself and repeat those promises to her while I touch my chest as I say, "I will take care of you", and with the "you" I'll touch her chest. "I will protect you". I'll touch my chest and then put both arms around her and tell her I'll never let anything harm her. The last line "I will love you, no matter what." I repeat that last line, with my hand on my heart and then move it to her heart. 

I think she begins to see who I am, and isn't afraid. We can get the morning started and that is the biggest stumbling block to get over. 

Today, I have an appointment with the VA, and I'm hoping all will go well. I don't have anyone to watch Sweetie so she comes with me. I think it is the best for both of us. I don't worry about what she is doing, and she is comforted being with me. Of course there will be extra dose of her balance medicine to help get us through the appointment. 

We had a good day yesterday. I got her into the shower, washed her hair without too much difficulty. Her ear is healing finally, and is sensitive to the water, and once that was overcome, the rest was easy. 

Walked around the mall, a long car drive, watched a couple of trains on the way, and home. That just about sums it up. A good day. 

Good days is what it is all about. Finding the Easter Eggs, and not worrying about the rest. Driver knows the way, and I trust Him to make it to the end of each day. As we travel together on the Road to Dementia Town. Keeping our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv ya, and God Bless.