Dementia Days!
August 26, 2021
Dementia Days!
Dementia is sometimes hard.
My mother celebrated her 90th birthday last weekend. She does not believe she is 90. Actually, she is more than a little resistant to any claim that she is 90 years old. Although she is in pretty good shape physically, her mind suffers from an aging process many call dementia. Dementia days.
Dementia is sometimes hard.
Our family celebrated her birthday on Sunday afternoon. The gathering was small because my family is small. The party was also small because my mother functions better with a smaller crowd. She enjoyed the cake and flowers and cards. However, after 45 minutes or so she was ready to go. It has become increasingly difficult for my mother to focus for more than 30 to 45 minutes. Dementia days.
Dementia is sometimes hard.
I gave my mother a birthday card. At first she just put it down beside her. I encouraged her to read the card. However, I noticed she was taking a long time to read. I helped her by reading the words on the card as well as the words I had written. She liked the expressions of love and appreciation. But, it was clear that my mother is not comprehending what she reads. Dementia days.
Dementia is sometimes hard.
We left feeling grateful that my mother knew us all and could joke around a little. I was thankful that she could laugh at herself as well as at the funny things her sons said. But, the laughter was also bittersweet.
My mother’s laughter was a reminder that her disease has advanced enough that most conversations are interrupted by broken thought-strings and statements not connected to her life experience. Sometimes I laugh with her. Sometimes I cry for her struggle to put thoughts and memories into words. Dementia days.
Dementia is sometimes hard.
As I walk with my mother on her journey with dementia, I am learning about life, aging, and even about dementia. I want her to experience (hopefully sometimes remember!) the love of family and the love of Jesus. I want to learn how to be fully present with her no matter what her health situation. So far it has not been too difficult.
However, as the disease progresses, I am afraid I will not have the strength to be the son I want to be for my mother. At the same time, I do not want my fear getting in the way of loving and serving my mother.
I remember something Jesus said to His disciples on the day He was raised from death to life. When Jesus meets the disciples, He says; “Peace be with you.” In Luke 24:37 we are told; “They (the disciples) were startled and terrified.”
Jesus knew the disciples were overwhelmed with fear. Jesus responds to their fear by giving them God’s peace. When we are afraid of what we know and what we don’t know, Jesus will draw near and give us God’s peace. When God’s peace fills our heart, mind, and soul we respond with delight.
Imagine the delight of the disciples when they realized the risen Savior was in the room with them. Peace had come and fear had gone. Imagine the delight in your heart when Jesus replaces your fear with God’s peace.
Take Delight In The Lord!
Doug
Take Delight 