We are technically on the road, in that we are living in our rig, wherever we are parked, but we have had to return to Montana to finish up some business there. We hope to be back out traveling within a couple of weeks.
Parts of this made me smile! Dementia and Parkinson's have some similarities! Joe "bought" more than 1 movie on tv thinking he was just "tuning" in and signed up for some wonder pill that was going to give him a new lease on life! I was shoulder to shoulder with him until the end, and I know you are the same kind of soul. I can look back and see how scared I was for what was coming, and yet when it happened we just did what we had to do-trust that.
My number one job these days is remembering to be thankful for each moment we have together. With my mom, I had to completely take over her finances and she STILL found ways to buy stuff. Sometimes TV would give her ideas about pills or products she was sure were the cure for whatever ailed her. I just tried my best to keep her safe and loved. Same with my guy now. Keep him safe and loved. Hope things are lightening up for you. Love and hugs, Linda
you are brilliant Linda! Considering all things, I am doing well. I have made peace with the fact I will always miss him, and believe it or not, that has helped. I do not feel like there is something I need to address. It's my new normal. Knowing God's timing is not ours, I know I will see Joe in a minute! Thank you for sharing your talent with us as always.
Brilliantly nutty, maybe. I'm glad you're getting all the things done and all the feels felt. I admire your willingness to speak about your loss, painful as it must be. ~Linda
I have a friend in TN who has dementia. We still talk, but while I was there I would take her out shopping and to ice cream and we’d be silly and just have as much fun as she could still have. I miss those moments…even though I needed to keep an eye on her so she didn’t wander too far, and make sure to grab her purse before we left checkout…they’re still precious moments with our loved one, right?
Linda, you are just so amazing. I want to learn from you so many things, including how to be a better writer. I think we’re all suffering as we await Election Month. There’s a sense of doom no matter who wins. If my candidate wins, great! But the response from the other side scares me. 😱 if the other guy wins? I may never watch or read the news again. Hands over ears and humming for the next four years—or maybe more! 😖
I learned so much about writing from you, my friend, so please give yourself a gold star.⭐⭐⭐ I loved your essay on Rowe and the disappearing daddy. The part I love best is you taking a different perspective on comforting the adorable kid, realizing that we don't have to fix people. That we can love our kids, grandkids and everybody without reservation or judgment. Is it risky? Hell, yeah. "Othering" is so much easier. Although it can hurt terribly, I try to keep my eye on love.💕 I don't have to be right or point out that I'm holier than Swiss cheese. I will always adore you more than you know. And let's pray a certain Asian/Black American wins handily. 🤗Linda
I was part of a blue contingent in the very red state of Tennessee for my 3 years there—one get together they were all sharing what country they planned to move to depending on the outcome of the election…
My husband is a retired Marine. You'd think we'd be red as can be, but no. When my kids were small a lot of the neighbors drove their kids cross-town to "better" schools. I feel that if you don't like the neighborhood school, get in there and improve it. Same goes for country. If you don't like the direction, work to change it. ~Linda
Bravo to you! love your approach (among many) of imaging how you would like to be treated. Kindness. And patience. And … better to be connected than right.
Also a person whose book had a big impact on me, not about dementia but about stroke, much of it applicable to dementia, is My Stroke of Insight, by Jill Bolt Taylor, I believe her name is.
Thanks so much. The book sounds fascinating. Because I've had to deal with being disabled all my life, I go into every situation thinking of the underdog. I know what it's like to feel rejected or ignored or made fun of. I couldn't do that to anyone else, especially those I love. Thanks for your great comment! Best, Linda
This must be so hard. I'm so glad you can express it here with your usual sass and brutal honesty. *hugs*
Hey Sherry,
Are you on the road? For me, travel is harder than anything--I'm a true homebody. Thanks for the encouragement! Hug back, Linda
We are technically on the road, in that we are living in our rig, wherever we are parked, but we have had to return to Montana to finish up some business there. We hope to be back out traveling within a couple of weeks.
Traveling Mercies be upon you. Linda
Parts of this made me smile! Dementia and Parkinson's have some similarities! Joe "bought" more than 1 movie on tv thinking he was just "tuning" in and signed up for some wonder pill that was going to give him a new lease on life! I was shoulder to shoulder with him until the end, and I know you are the same kind of soul. I can look back and see how scared I was for what was coming, and yet when it happened we just did what we had to do-trust that.
Pam,
My number one job these days is remembering to be thankful for each moment we have together. With my mom, I had to completely take over her finances and she STILL found ways to buy stuff. Sometimes TV would give her ideas about pills or products she was sure were the cure for whatever ailed her. I just tried my best to keep her safe and loved. Same with my guy now. Keep him safe and loved. Hope things are lightening up for you. Love and hugs, Linda
you are brilliant Linda! Considering all things, I am doing well. I have made peace with the fact I will always miss him, and believe it or not, that has helped. I do not feel like there is something I need to address. It's my new normal. Knowing God's timing is not ours, I know I will see Joe in a minute! Thank you for sharing your talent with us as always.
Brilliantly nutty, maybe. I'm glad you're getting all the things done and all the feels felt. I admire your willingness to speak about your loss, painful as it must be. ~Linda
Also—loved that Oliver Sacks book!
Thanks for being so real with us.
I have a friend in TN who has dementia. We still talk, but while I was there I would take her out shopping and to ice cream and we’d be silly and just have as much fun as she could still have. I miss those moments…even though I needed to keep an eye on her so she didn’t wander too far, and make sure to grab her purse before we left checkout…they’re still precious moments with our loved one, right?
Linda, you are just so amazing. I want to learn from you so many things, including how to be a better writer. I think we’re all suffering as we await Election Month. There’s a sense of doom no matter who wins. If my candidate wins, great! But the response from the other side scares me. 😱 if the other guy wins? I may never watch or read the news again. Hands over ears and humming for the next four years—or maybe more! 😖
H,
I learned so much about writing from you, my friend, so please give yourself a gold star.⭐⭐⭐ I loved your essay on Rowe and the disappearing daddy. The part I love best is you taking a different perspective on comforting the adorable kid, realizing that we don't have to fix people. That we can love our kids, grandkids and everybody without reservation or judgment. Is it risky? Hell, yeah. "Othering" is so much easier. Although it can hurt terribly, I try to keep my eye on love.💕 I don't have to be right or point out that I'm holier than Swiss cheese. I will always adore you more than you know. And let's pray a certain Asian/Black American wins handily. 🤗Linda
I was part of a blue contingent in the very red state of Tennessee for my 3 years there—one get together they were all sharing what country they planned to move to depending on the outcome of the election…
Julie,
My husband is a retired Marine. You'd think we'd be red as can be, but no. When my kids were small a lot of the neighbors drove their kids cross-town to "better" schools. I feel that if you don't like the neighborhood school, get in there and improve it. Same goes for country. If you don't like the direction, work to change it. ~Linda
EXACTLY.
Bravo to you! love your approach (among many) of imaging how you would like to be treated. Kindness. And patience. And … better to be connected than right.
Also a person whose book had a big impact on me, not about dementia but about stroke, much of it applicable to dementia, is My Stroke of Insight, by Jill Bolt Taylor, I believe her name is.
George,
Thanks so much. The book sounds fascinating. Because I've had to deal with being disabled all my life, I go into every situation thinking of the underdog. I know what it's like to feel rejected or ignored or made fun of. I couldn't do that to anyone else, especially those I love. Thanks for your great comment! Best, Linda