At the MVD.

My Ladies, Sweetie and my two daughters.

This was the last time my clan had been together. It was the Balloon Fiesta of '15. We had a great time together, and it was also the first time that Sweetie's dementia was showing itself. My oldest asked if there was something that she did, because Sweetie was so stand offish. That is when I told her that there was something going on, I wasn't sure just what it was. It was the following year we were tested. Mystery solved. 

We start our 6th year on the official journey, yet in reality it is our 11th year. Those first five or so years, the not understanding what was going on with her, those needless fights about where this was, or why did you put this there. For the spouse that just "knew" that there was something wrong, something out of place, not just right, yet couldn't put a finger on it. Wrote it off as "old age". But it was too early in life, too soon, too.... something. 

I don't know about you, but there was a relief factor in knowing. In my ability to steady myself, to strength my heart, to find out just what to do. 

This is where my Driver comes in. I was part of a ministry that did a Sunday service for a senior rehab center. That is where I met John. His wife was part of the small gathering of believers who attended the service, she too, has Dementia. As I got to know him, his help cannot be measured in anything but love. 

He told me about the support group, and invited me to join. I sluffed off the idea, I wasn't ready. It wasn't until I was at the Motor Vehicle Department, when I ran into John. Again with the invitation to join this all men's support group. At the MVD of all places, if that wasn't a message from my Driver, I don't know what one looks like. That was over 4 years ago, and what a blessing it was and the help over the years has become invaluable. 

Because of the the pandemic, I don't make those meeting anymore, don't have a sitter for Sweetie. Working on getting one, hard for only one day a month. My Saturday Lady works a Monday-Friday, and cannot get off. So, I put it on the front seat to let my Driver handle it. 

Yesterday, gotta talk about yesterday. It was another rough start for Sweetie. Lots of pain while trying to sit up. After I got her up, into the bathroom to clean and change her, to get ready for the day. I was allowed to do some physical therapy on her shoulder. Now with the new shaver, I can just keep talking to her, take it out, and shave her chin, as if it was something that we've been doing all along. Thank you for the suggestion. 

It was a good day, meals, walking, golf. The one thing that is a good report, she is starting to use her right arm. Not much, more than before, so the heat/vibrating therapy is working.

If she isn't watching TV, she is now wondering around the house. Not trying to get outside, just looking out the windows, then back to the bedroom, stopping at the garage door, turning on the light, looking in, like a caged animal at the zoo. 

She doesn't come up stairs with me to even try to brush her teeth, comb her hair, so I have to make sure she is as ready as she can be when we go for breakfast. It is one time down, and one time up. I feel she will move herself down stairs when she is ready, not on my time table. 

Time table, something that only Driver knows for sure. He has been there all the time. He knows when each new step will be taken, and I just have to follow. The Road to Dementia Town isn't a straight road, it is full of twist and turns, detours and newly paved areas. I know that and so does my Driver. I know I cannot make this journey any better, only worse. He is the one that makes it better, He is the one that is hiding the Easter Eggs for me to find. I'm just the doer, the one that keeps the inside going, He's the one that, while we are on the Road to Dementia Town, Keeps our Shiny Side Up. C'ya, Luv ya, and God Bless.