Friday, 21 January 2011
Together Our Journey
By Linda Carmi
My Sweet Husband,
I would like to reach inside and cradle your mind that was once so sharp and soothe it with kisses – wipe away the tangles that are so distressing for you. I would like so much to do that. Oh, that I could bring you back to those precious times when your laugh came easily and the twinkle in your eyes hinted of something deliciously fun to come.
Instead, I can give you kisses that tickle your face and muss your hair. And hug - lots of hugs and kisses (minimum of seven seconds is recommended, and 17 hugs daily). And, the “I Love You’s” and “I’m so proud of you.” Lots and lots of those.
We have been living this adventure together for quite awhile now. It is absolutely true what they say, “When you see one case of Alzheimers, you have seen one.” A wry statement, but it is the truth. It is a relentless foe and the surprises keep you on your toes for sure.
My husband used to pound his head in anguish and cry out, “What is happening to me?! Something is in there, like a stone!”
I have asked him at different times, “Do you know what Alzheimer’s disease is?”
Though the word has been spoken around him, indeed a specific evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease at UCLA did not rouse his curiosity. He has never seemed to have any awareness of it.
The progression of AD continues to rob him of his memories and it doesn’t seem to matter any longer whether he knows what happens to him. There is so much that he cannot wrap his mind around, and now his ability to understand is quite simply gone.
Imagine that! Gone. Poof, just evaporated. It is difficult to even imagine how that must feel. It’s as if a heavy, soggy blanket of disease squeezes out of him the qualities that the rest of us mostly take for granted. He just cannot move from beneath the fog that started out in light patches and has advanced to be the pea soup variety with no signs of clearing.
He becomes less and less of himself with each passing day. His world becomes smaller, with me as the focal point that must remain constant for him to feel safe. I am his steady beacon of light in the world of shadows.
I miss our conversations. I comment on the beautiful mountains, the weather and his response is the same, again and again and again. It’s like his questions are playing on a loop; same words, moments apart.
Gone is his infectious spontaneity, with ideas for some bit of fun to go after. He is totally dependent on me for everything except the body’s natural functions.
He takes great pleasure in a daily car ride, so I have made this “our date.” I talk it up to make the same places sound new and exciting. We load up the car to go and my sweet darling asks me half a dozen times before we reach the end of the block, “Where we go?”
I patiently explain that we are going on our date, wherever that may be for the day. That seems to satisfy him.
We go to one of our favorite places where the service people all seem to know us and offer him attention as they help with the wheelchair. He is quite handsome with his white hair, blue eyes and always a “thank you” on his lips.
Very often I get a tender kiss on my hand, along with “Baba, if you would only know how I love you.” I’d say it is a good exchange.
[INVITATION: All elders, 50 and older, are welcome to submit stories for this blog. They can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, etc. Instructions for submitting are here.]
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 05:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post
Comments
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Oh, how poignant. I commend you for your patience and your grace.
Posted by: kenju | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 05:38 AM
This is such a tender tribute.
"His world becomes smaller..." sums up this distressing disease so well. Take care of yourself as well.
Posted by: Olga | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 06:59 AM
so very very sad. his memories of you reside in his heart.
Posted by: jim kittelberger | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 07:07 AM
Dearly told, but oh so heart rending. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Johna Ferguson | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 07:21 AM
Generous of you to share your real life days..makes all the news stories come to life. May all your karma bank deposits keep you strong.
Posted by: Mary Follett | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 08:11 AM
Thank you for this beautiful insight into you and your beloved husband's world. I have no words to describe how much this touched my heart.
Posted by: Kathleen Noble | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 08:41 AM
Surely your lovely and touching story about your dear husband will make many of count our blessing today,and every day.
Posted by: Nancy | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 08:43 AM
This is so beautifully written that I am sending it to my friend whose husband is disappearing with this terrible malady.
Your love is a shining beacon for all and your husband is fortunate to have your loving and tender care.
Posted by: Darlene | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 08:55 AM
Bless you, Linda.
Darlene says it all,"Your love is a shining beacon for all..."
Posted by: aunt ann | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 10:04 AM
I am the friend that Darlene sent this beautiful writing to and I must say I have tears in my eyes! I could relate to so much. Bless you and your husband in this journey you are on!
Posted by: Nicky Southard | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 10:49 AM
What a beautiful tribute to a love that's stayed the same in spite of the terrible changes in the relationship.
Posted by: Marcia Mayo | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 01:01 PM
His expression of how he feels and the way you described your moments and days are so touching,had tears over the keyboard.
Thank you for this wonderfully expressed piece.
Posted by: Uma | Friday, 21 January 2011 at 02:03 PM
A much needed view of AD from the caregivers point of view.
He's fortunate to have you by his side.
Posted by: Madonna Dries Christensen | Saturday, 22 January 2011 at 09:54 AM
Beautiful, poignant--and absolutely terrifying. It could happen to any of us. My husband is 81, and he is the epicenter of my life. I can only hope that I would be able to summon the courage that you have should we find ourselves in a similar situation.
Posted by: Elizabeth Rogers | Saturday, 22 January 2011 at 05:55 PM