God lifted the burden for both ...

[Bill in Oregon]

A good neighbor three doors down lost his bride, Jennifer, last week to Alzheimer's after a 12-year battle. She was 73. I watched him care for her, take her for walks, push her in her wheelchair in the Texas sunshine when she could no longer ambulate. It was touching because my own Mom died of Alzheimer's at 74 -- also after a 12-year battle, and I watched my Dad provide the same loving, patient and compassionate care despite the toll it took on him.
I have said it before, but in both these cases, the wives didn't know it at the time, but God saw to it that they married their angels. That's how He rolls.
I stopped and visited with Mike yesterday. He is doing better, starting to build a new life, coaching his 4-H kids in archery.
But he had me read this poem that I had been unaware of.

Do not ask me to remember,
Don’t try to make me understand,
Let me rest and know you’re with me,
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept,
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone,
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ’til my life is done.
– Owen Darnell

[JimT]

- wet eyes -

Went through that with my Dad. 10 years.

[AJMD429]

.
When my Aunt who lived next door passed away, her husband had suffered Alzheimer's for a decade, and he passed away a week after she did. We had to take care of their pets and house until my cousin could arrange the sale, so when we went over there, we had to chase one of the cats and it went into their bedroom - a room we'd never had occasion to go into.

I saw a photo of them together as newlyweds some 50 years previous, and the look of youthful hope and vigor in both their eyes.

Of course no way she could know she'd be his 'caregiver' for so long, nor would he have realized it either. But they did well for one another.

I hope our young 'cellphone and internet' and 'sleep with whoever you want because they're on the pill' generations do as well, but I'm not so sure they will...

[JDL]

Bill, this brought a flood of memories to my mind. I lost my Dad to this horrible disease in 2009 but, God in His infinite Mercy, allowed me and my Dad to have a wonderful visit just about 10 hours before He carried him away! God was very generous as He let me have Dad for 84 years and 2 months. Dad was very lucid that morning and I praise God for that brief visit we had. I don't mind saying I'm typing this through a haze of tears.

[Old No7]

I stopped and visited with Mike yesterday. He is doing better, starting to build a new life, coaching his 4-H kids in archery.
But he had me read this poem that I had been unaware of...

Wonderful thoughts in that poem Bill; thanks to Mike for sharing that, and to you for sharing the story -- wish him well.

Old No7

[gamekeeper]

A very touching poem, thanks Bill for sharing.

[Drawdown]

God bless him, it's an often cruel disease! We took care my mother in law long time before she died from it in 1990.

[GunnyMack]

I had an uncle that had a stroke, his left side was paralyzed from it. I was 8 or 9 when it happened. He survived many more years and I remember saying to myself what a horrible thing to live with.
I've known quite a few people with alzheimers, it's very sad to see and it's very hard on the families.
Best to your neighbor to heal and have the strength to carry on.

[Grizz]

I had an uncle that had a stroke, his left side was paralyzed from it. I was 8 or 9 when it happened. He survived many more years and I remember saying to myself what a horrible thing to live with.
I've known quite a few people with alzheimers, it's very sad to see and it's very hard on the families.
Best to your neighbor to heal and have the strength to carry on.

people excoriate indigenous cultures for "abandoning" their aged as cruel and wicked. Really? I think there are other appropriate definitions of cruel. I just hope I can still row when it's time to go . . .

[Ysabel Kid]

Wet eyes here too.

Watched my grandparents go through this awful disease. My children's godfather is caring for his wonderful wife, their godmother, who has been fighting it for almost 2 decades. His patience and kindness is inspirational.

[Nath]

Thanks Bill

[MingoKid]

Love is powerful. Touching story.
MK

[earlmck]

I just hope I can still row when it's time to go . . .

Amen to that Grizz.