I am just a Daughter!

I see my mom quite a few days a week. Because my mission, the last 20 years, has been to to provide the highest quality of life possible to person's with Alzheimer's Disease, I think I should "walk the talk". A few weeks ago, however, I was with Mom and we were watching "Hard Ball" on MSNBC. Mom and I were talking about politics as we watched. Mom's two of loves, in terms of conversation, were politics and sports. Mom can carry on a a great conversation at times, but in the middle of the conversation that night, she started calling out/yelling HELP HELP! Now this is not unusual and it is not ordinarily disturbing. It is what it is, part of the disease. However this had been a tough day, also Mom was not having a great day and neither was I. So I said what, of course you should never say, "Mom if you are going to continue to yell I am going to have to leave". Now that seems heartless in retrospect, but it was how felt at that moment. Mom paused for a moment, turned her head toward me and asked, "Why do you think I do that"?

Now I do talk to her upon occasion about her Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease. Not this night, however. I simply said, "I don't know Mom"

She was silent for a few seconds and then turned to me and said, "do you suppose it could be my dementia?" Well I was blown away!! I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes! I finally said "maybe Mom, maybe"

The rest of the evening felt different! A good laugh can change so much. It turned out to be the gift that keeps on giving as I have told a number of my friends and family and it always brings a smile to their face. I am smiling now as I tell "our" story. Okay, I am not a perfect daughter", but after a good laugh, I could forgive my self.

So keep smiling and enjoy what you can. Thanks for listening to our tale. May god keep you in the palm of his hand.