A Week in a Day...

I came to visit my Grandma and to see my Grandpa, who has Alzheimers disease. He was recently admitted to "Superior Residences," an assisted living community filled with people who need care specific to memory loss.

The first night I visited I met Debbie, daughter to Jack, who had a stroke 2 years ago. I then met Dale, wife to Dominick, a sweet Italian man. They both go every day, many times for hours each day, to take care of their loved ones. Hearing their stories and seeing the decline in my own sweet Grandfather moved me to tears. There was no way to prepare for such a sight, such a place. The remainder of the week I spent time with all the people in my Grandfather's "cottage," and will miss them when I go.

Charlie is in the last stages of Parkinson's Disease. He appeared to have more physical disabilities than mental ones, loved to sing, and knew all the hymns in the hymnal. When I asked if I could come sing with him tomorrow, he said, "You are welcome as the flowers in May."

Peter is another singer. Originally from PA, he always looked spiffy in his white church shoes and held his head high with dignity. He surprised me by picking up the harmony line in "You are My Sunshine" as we sang to the baby (Yes, Josiah went with me every night and got LOTS of attention).

Jack had a stroke 2 years ago and much of his speech is jumbled up now. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be trapped inside your own body. Much of the time he walked outside, trying to figure out how to get outside the gate into the "real world."

Raymond...Oh, Raymond. My first encounter with him was him scooting down the hall with his walker, teasing, "I'm going to run you over." I told him, "I better run away!" He later told me when I asked how his day was, "All my days are the same. I am here...how do I tell you?...as a prisoner."

Dr. Burke, Boston University professor of mathematics and economics...

Bob, who had one thing on his mind, some things NEVER change...:)

Doris, a beautiful woman who loved to sing and listen to Lawrence Welk and admire the baby...

Chick, Harry, Don...

I left the last night after dancing to Lawrence Welk with my Grandpa saying, "Goodnight, I love you." He told me he loved me and the baby and, "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, Grandpa...maybe." I doubt he'll remember I was even here.

It might be a figment of their imagination, a guest in their world for a week, and probably will never be remembered. But to me, I will never forget them. I have come to Florida one person, but will leave changed forever. The lives I've encountered and the stories I've heard have left an impression on my heart. I already miss them.

Pictures of all these beautiful people coming soon...