Just returned from nine day trip in the south visiting w/two pivotal women in my life that are both suffering from dementia.
The irony of the fact that both of these women have supported me, helped me, guided me at key points in my life and now they are completely helpless, and solely dependent on their caregivers, is not lost on me.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing I wouldn't do for these women. And as I sat with them, read to them, held their hands, and just loved them- all I could feel was my love for them. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world, but I still came away from those visits with the cliche feeling that "life sucks."
No matter how mature I am (or that I think I am) and the fact that I "get" the concept of life and death- it still is HARD. Seeing someone you love in diapers, and falling asleep mid-sentence is the pits.
However, being there for them, and loving them unconditionally is a feeling like no other.
I went through this with my dad. It is so hard to see them change so much.
ReplyDeleteYou say so much in a short piece. Life sucks. Love helps.
ReplyDeleteMy father too suffered from dementia in the last three years of his life. It hurt to see the change in him. I am glad you could be with your friends.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had dementia and hallucinations - - yes, it is tough on this side of it as well. I kept reminding myself that all I could do was be there and breathe. And that was the greatest comfort I could give.
ReplyDeleteTears. You told this so well and have put us all into your situation. I'm sure it was good to be able to be there to love and support them. Blessings and peace to you.
ReplyDeleteThese posts came through so late. Thank you to all of you who responded so honestly. This really helped me. It’s just “ suiting up,” for those that you love with every fiber of your being. Thank you to all who posted
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