October 14, 2013

My heart wrestled with my emotions all weekend. Friday was the 6th anniversary of my mom’s death and I was sharing with a friend how I felt about dementia and it’s ugly hold on my dad’s mind. It has even taken from him the ability to recall one of the saddest day of our lives. We talked about how we are both losing a parent in different ways but our pain is the same. Two days later, her heart and that of her family are experiencing a great loss. Becky Bulgerin, My heart hurts for you. I will remember what we said, and what Andy Bulgerin reminded us in a recent post. Find, remember, and hold onto the good in the midst of the ugly. Much love and God’s peace….

February 7, 2013

If you have cared for or love someone with memory loss then you can appreciate and empathize with the daily challenges faced by caregiver and loved one. Being repeatedly asked the same question or not recognizing people and places that once were familiar can leave one cranky. Yesterday dad and I were delivering completed upholstery work to Rockwall for Vidal. We were crossing over Lake Ray Hubbard as we have several times since he has been here, however, he looked at the expanse of water and reacted with the same enthusiam he did when he saw it the first time. It struck me….why don’t I see things this way? God’s handiwork, my marriage, children, family, friends, work, my faith? I get so caught up in the day to day task of living I forget to appreciate the joy I felt when all these experiences were new. Thank you, Lord, for letting me see this through my father’s eyes. Be blessed ya’ll

This is the very first entry that planted the seed for this entire Lessons Learned journey.

January 3, 2013

Our family began a new journey a little over ten days ago. Anyone who has loved and/or cared for an elderly parent with a long term illnes coupled with memory loss most likely has more wisdom than I. However, I have decided I am going to write down bits of wisdom, humor, and insight we gain along the way and challenge myself to find a passage in the bible that relates or speaks to me. I am going to hold Christ’s hand and your love, prayers, messages and texts in my heart – I am reassured knowing I wil have all of this when the dark moments come. Be blessed ya’ll.